The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, July 7, 1995                   TAG: 9507070416
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: D1   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Daily Digest 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   25 lines

TOBACCO FARMERS FACE LOSSES FROM BLUE MOLD

Blue mold continues its destructive sweep across the Southside's burley tobacco fields, raising fears that farmers may post heavy losses this year if the weather does not cooperate. Fungus contamination has been reported in at least half a dozen counties across southwest Virginia. Blue mold clings to the underside of tobacco leaves, destroying a plant in a few days under prime conditions. The torrential rains that pounded the region throughout June created a climate ideal for blue mold. Airborne spores from the fungus can spread 50 miles a day on a good wind. The blue-mold strain attacking area fields appears to be immune to the fungicide Ridomil, so state pesticide management offices have approved the use of the more powerful Dithane DF. (Associated Press) by CNB