Author: Robert Pearce
Planning Unit: Plant and Soil Sciences
Major Program: Tobacco
Outcome: Initial Outcome
Frogeye leaf spot has historically been a relatively low impact disease for tobacco growers until recently. In the past 4 to 5 years we have seen increasing problems in some areas of the states with significant losses of leaf weight and quality observed by a number of growers. In addition labelled pesticides for this problem do not appear to be performing as expected in field conditions leading to concerns about possible resistance of the disease to current controls. I have been working with Dr. Emily Pfuefer , Extension Plant Pathologist, to better understand this problem and develop management strategies for growers to deal with this problem. To accomplish this we have established on-farm trials in one of the hardest hit areas in and attempt to identify is pesticide resistance is a problem and how quickly the pest population can shift in response to chemical control program. Simultaneously we are also working on alternative management strategies such as variety selection, and rotation of alternative pesticides to help growers in the short term. While the trials are still rather preliminary we have developed a close working relationship with a number of affected growers and are moving in the direction of workable solutions that will allow these grower to continue to be successful in tobacco production.
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