White Mold Disease Destroys Tobacco Crop in South Georgia

Source from:  WCTV Tallahassee 07/16/2009

A crop-destroying disease is detected in South Georgia and it's targeting tobacco plants. The disease is called white mold and it's already destroyed about ten percent of the tobacco crop in this area. The stem is broken. The plant is dead. And now, acres upon acres of tobacco plants are diseased and dying in South Georgia. "Here's popped up another disease that we're gonna have to contend with," said fifth generation tobacco farmer Stanley Corbett. "Every time we add something new to have to fight, that cuts into our profit margin at the end of the season." In all Corbett's years in the field, he's never once dealt with white mold. The white mold destroys the tobacco by rotting the stem and preventing any nutrients from absorbing inside the plant. Corbett's already lost at least ten percent of his crop to the disease that experts say cannot be cured. "This is why it's so difficult," said Calvin Willis, Lowndes County Agriculture Extension Agent. "Economic times, production issues, natural phenomenons. And to have another unforeseen disease come in and hit him is just another stone hitting him so it's a heavy load." But because Corbett responded quickly, spraying his fields with fungicide, his crops may have a chance. "It's not gonna hurt us as bad as it looked like to start with but I think because we got out here and treated it early, it's what's really helped save this batch of tobacco 'cause it's bad in a few spots," said Corbett. "Tobacco growers and growers in general are very resilient people. They're very hardworking people, very honest. And they'll find a way to overcome," said Willis. Agriculture experts believe it was those hot and moist conditions back in June that may have caused the disease to spread. It will be hard to tell the total amount of damage until the harvest is over. Right now, officials estimate about 10 percent of all tobacco crops in the area could be affected, but it could be until the end of August before we know for sure. Enditem