Tobacco Research Board cautions farmers on chemica...

Tobacco Research Board cautions farmers on chemical use as it investigates abnormal growths on plants

The Tobacco Research Board (TRB) says it is investigating abnormally growing plants observed on some irrigated tobacco as the planting of the 2022/23 season dry land tobacco is underway.

In an advisory notice, the TRB said that the abnormality has been observed on several farms, with the affected plants showing symptoms that include “severe stunting and twisting/epinasty, cupping, curling and distortion of leaves. The distribution of affected plants in the field can be on rows or for the whole field.”

As a precaution, the TRB said affected growers must not apply any chemical remedies since the problem is not a disease but an environmental disorder. Farmers must continue irrigating their crops and ensuring optimal growth conditions while at the same time observing any changes.

The TRB has deployed several teams around the country to collect information that will assist with establishing the cause of the problem and is also appealing to farmers to assist the team with information when they visit their farms.

According to TRB, these symptoms and the observed distribution in the field are consistent with abiotic disorders (non-infective) most likely chemical phytotoxicity from some synthetic plant protection product.

This means that the damage to the plants is being caused by a reaction to chemicals and not some disease which can spread to unaffected plants.

TRB said that phytotoxicity cases can be caused by an incorrect dose application, an incorrect method of application or a problem in the source of the agrochemical.

It can also stem from some contamination of a batch of an agrochemical.

TRB added that it is undertaking investigations to establish the exact cause of the phytotoxicity and will promptly advise of the outcome to prevent this from recurring in the dryland tobacco crop.

Growers with this problem should get in touch with the Plant Health Services Division on telephone 8688002604-ext 202, 206, 214 or 236 or toll-free, 0800 4511 to request for a visit or to provide the required information.