Kentucky Crop Takes Glancing Blow From Easter Cold Snap

Source from:  tobaccofarmquarterly.com May 7, 2007 05/16/2007

A survey of tobacco crop damage caused by the cold snap Easter weekend revealed only small pockets of moderate damage, although nearly all areas reported low or slight damage to the crop. The UK Cooperative Extension Service Survey indicated the worst problems occurred in Daviess, Mercer and Bath Counties. Most farmers were in the middle of transplant from float beds when the cold snap struck, and many were not yet in the fields. But protecting the seedlings in the float beds was a prime concern, and growers are concerned about how the plants on the outside areas of the greenhouses survived. Daviess County reported that there is a slight indication of target spot and low indications of Pythium root rot and collar rot. Plants were moved from outdoor beds to insulated indoor shops, and outdoor beds were double wrapped in canvas and sheet plastic, some with a 100-watt light bulb added under the wraps. Kerosene blast furnaces were placed into unheated greenhouses for additional heat. Mercer County had not posted any disease pressures and growers used a combination of lights and covers to protect the seedling, but damage is expected to show up as warmer weather arrives. Puckering, or cupping, of leaves was predicted from plants affected by temperature swings. Due to the unique topography of Mercer County, the amount of damage will vary across the area. In Bath County, it was too early to estimate damage on outside floats. Other counties reported low to slight damage, mostly from outside beds. Growers kept an eye out for other diseases that the cold could help to spread, such as salt injury and spiral root. Enditem