SP277-Q Black Shank of Tobacco

Black shank is a widespread and destructive disease of tobacco in Tennessee. It was first identified in Robertson County in 1935 and has since spread to most tobacco-producing counties in the state. Burley, dark air-cured and dark fire-cured types of tobacco are all susceptible to black shank.

Black shank disease is caused by a soil-borne fungus, Phytophthora parasitica f. nicotianae. The fungus can survive in the soil for many years, even in the absence of tobacco.