Field library

Black Shank

A rot that lives in the soil and attacks tobacco at the base of the stem. The lower stem turns black and soft, the leaves go yellow and hang down, and the plant dies standing. Split the stem lengthways and the soft centre has gone brown and is stacked in flat discs, like a pile of coins.

How to scout

After heavy rain or a heavy irrigation, look for plants going yellow and drooping in the low wet parts of the field, then split one stem lengthways and look for the brown coin-like discs inside.