Black shank remains our state’s top disease for flue-cured producers.  In order to reduce losses from this disease for 2009, tobacco farmers are urged to consider the use of Ridomil Gold, Ultra Flourish, or another generic formulation of mefenoxam.  This chemical has been shown to be our most effective tool in the management of black shank.

Since transplanting is about to begin, it is a good time to plan to apply one of these chemicals at first cultivation in order to protect a tobacco crop.  Black shank infects tobacco early so application of this chemical helps to prevent infections which show up later in the season.  Fields with a history of this disease may require more than one application depending on weather conditions and other factors that predispose tobacco plants to black shank.  If a fields has been treated with a multipurpose chemical and has a black shank history, it is also  recommended that mefenoxam be applied. 

Mefenoxam should be post directed and incorporated into the row ridge.

Only fields which have a history of black shank (at least 4%infestation) are recommended to receive an application of mefenoxam

Mitch Smith
County Extension Director             04/07/09