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Strawberry News

Phil Brannen

Phil Brannen

Phil Brannen is a Professor in the Plant Pathology Department at the University of Georgia. He attended the University of Georgia for his undergraduate degree in Plant Protection and Pest Management, where he also received an M.S. in Plant Pathology, followed by a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Auburn University. He has extensive experience with disease management programs in numerous cropping systems. He serves as the extension fruit pathologist for Georgia – conducting research and technology transfer for multiple fruit commodities. His efforts are directed towards developing IPM practices to solve disease issues and technology transfer of disease-management methods to commercial fruit producers. He also teaches the graduate level Field Pathology Course, the History of Plant Diseases and their Impact on Human Societies Course, team-teaches the IPM Course, coordinates the Viticulture and Enology in the Mediterranean Region Course (Cortona, Italy), and guest lectures in numerous other courses throughout the year.

  • Strawberry Pest Management Strategic Plan (PMSP) Survey

    Phil Brannen

    Please see below for a letter and survey link associated with an updated Strawberry Pest Management Strategic Plan. I just ran through the survey, and it is quick. I hate surveys and normally delete them as quickly as possible, but this one is important to the future of research for the southeastern regional strawberry industry.…

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  • Neopestalotiopsis Observed in Georgia

    Phil Brannen

    It is back. Unfortunately, we do have one site that has substantial disease from Neopestalotiopsis (Neo for short). Also unfortunately, it is difficult to confirm this disease without microscopy and viewing the spores that are produced in leaf and fruit lesions. Neo looks like anthracnose on fruit, several leaf spots, and Phytophthora root rot —…

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  • Neopestalotiopsis Warning

    Phil Brannen

    Neopestalotiopsis is now showing up in Florida strawberries. Last year was relatively benign for this disease in Florida, and the same was generally true in Georgia. However, wetter conditions may be the trigger. We know from a trial conducted last year near Baxley, GA that no amount of fumigation or cultural practices (e.g. weed control…

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  • Captan Registration Review

    Phil Brannen

    Captan is currently under review by the EPA. The review document is below, and it can be perused for the impact of EPAs potential actions on strawberry disease management. EPA is proposing several mitigations for the continued use of Captan. Any responses are currently due by 27 June, but you can request an extension for…

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  • Botrytis Testing for Fungicide Resistance

    Phil Brannen

    Clemson University has picked up the resistance testing for Botrytis. This is not a free service at this time. However, it is very useful and worth the funds to determine which Botryticides are working. See the attached form for information needed. Additional information from Dr. Guido Schnabel. I worked with our plant and pest diagnostic…

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  • Neopestalotiopsis Article

    Phil Brannen

    The link to the article below provides the best synopsis to date of information on Neopestalotiopsis and its management. It is a very discouraging disease, but every effort should be made to keep from spreading it from one location to another.

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  • Additional Information on Neopestalotiopsis Management

    Phil Brannen

    Dr. Natalia Peres (University of Florida) shared some additional information with me concerning possible fungicides to use in rotation with Switch and Thiram. Keep in mind that none of these fungicides are providing great control of this disease, but they are providing increased yields by comparison to untreated plots. Rhyme and Tilt (DMI fungicides) are…

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  • Neopestalotiopsis Update

    Phil Brannen

    A lab in Florida has confirmed that the Neopestalotiopsis we are observing in the one Georgia site mentioned in the last post is in fact the pathogenic strain. This matches the fact that the disease has spread rapidly in the field and is causing significant damage. Again, be on the lookout for this disease —…

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  • Neopestalotiopsis Update and Warning

    Phil Brannen

    We do now have one likely site with Neopestalotiopsis in Georgia strawberries. We had several sites that were decimated by this disease last year, but this is the first for this year. Symptoms and presumptive spores of the pathogen are showing up in this site, and the plants were obtained from a nursery in Canada…

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  • Webinar with Natalia Peres on Neopestalotiopsis

    Phil Brannen

    See below for information on a webinar at 7:00 p.m. EST on April 22, 2021. This is being developed by the National Strawberry Growers Association.

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