By Jacque Day
Southern Illinois – An Illinois pumpkin expert says a disease causing pumpkin blight in central Illinois is affecting other crops in the state's southernmost counties. University of Illinois extension specialist Mohammad Babadoost says the phytophthora blight has overtaken several processing pumpkin fields in central Illinois. Processing pumpkins are grown for pies, breads and other foods. In southern Illinois, farmers have found the disease in squash and peppers. Babadoost says it hasn't yet affected the fields located in the southeastern part of the state that grow pumpkins for processing. The scientist says if rainfall continues he expects the disease to spread statewide. 90 to 95 percent of the country's processing pumpkins come from central and southern Illinois. Babadoost says the blight spreads rapidly through runoff, rivers, streams and ponds. He urges farmers to contact him if blight is suspected.