Tobacco Fungal Disease Confirmed in Ky.

Source from:  CECILIA, Ky. 07/01/2005

A fungus that attacks tobacco plants has been found in Kentucky, the first reported U.S. outbreak this year, although one expert said hot, dry weather appears to be preventing it from spreading. Tests showed blue mold spores on nine acres of a farm near Cecilia, which is in Hardin County about 45 miles southwest of Louisville. "With that one report, we're very, very concerned that we have it in other places," University of Kentucky tobacco pathologist Kenny Seebold said Wednesday. Blue mold can reduce yields if left unchecked, but Seebold said there was no reason to panic. The fact "that it's not more widespread tells us that the weather is holding it in check," he said. Mold spores may have been carried by Tropical Storm Arlene, which moved through the area earlier this month. A blue mold outbreak in 1996 cost Kentucky growers an estimated $200 million. Last year, the disease moved quickly through the state and was confirmed in more than 40 counties by July. But it did not significantly affect the tobacco harvest. The North American Plant Disease Forecast Center had not received any reports of blue mold in the United States this year as of Wednesday night. Kentucky is the nation's leading producer of burley, a type of tobacco used in cigarettes. Cash receipts from sales of Kentucky-grown tobacco peaked at about $900 million in 1998, but have fallen to roughly half that in recent years. Enditem