A website from UGA Cooperative Extension

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.

  • New Neopestalotiopsis Disease Confirmed on Strawberries in Georgia

    Phil Brannen

    I posted a recent blog post on Neopestalotiopsis, a new pathogen associated with strawberry production in Florida. Unfortunately, the disease has now been confirmed in Georgia. Samples were sent to Dr. Natalia Peres, and she graciously confirmed that we do have this new pathogen showing up in commercial strawberries. Currently, we think the pathogen is…

    Posted in:

  • Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot Warning

    Phil Brannen

    There is a new disease that has been reported on strawberries, and it is causing substantial issues for the strawberry industry in Florida.  It is possible that our environment in Georgia is not conducive to the disease, but we should be diligent and on the lookout without regard.  Fungal Neopestalotiopsis species are associated with the…

    Posted in:

  • Zivion Registration Producer Requests (Strawberry Transplant Dips for Anthracnose Control)

    Phil Brannen

    I am trying to get a company (DSM) to register Zivion (Natamycin a.i.) as a transplant dip for strawberries. It would be active against anthracnose and possibly Botrytis that would come in on the transplants. With the resistance we are seeing to multiple fungicides, we need to reduce disease from the beginning where possible, and…

    Posted in:

  • Strawberry Disease Recommendations

    Phil Brannen

    Guido Schnabel (Clemson University) just provided his recommendations for the remainder of the season concerning strawberry disease spray programs. See the strawberry IPM guide at www.smallfruits.org to supplement this information (especially FRAC groups), but I concur with his thoughts as we move forward this season. Guido writes. “In general, based on 8 years of testing,…

    Posted in:

  • Strawberry Disease Surge

    Phil Brannen

    As the coronavirus is wreaking havoc throughout the world, it is hard to get very excited about strawberry diseases – unless you make an income off strawberries.  Unfortunately, the mild temperatures and almost continual rainfall are making it very difficult to manage strawberry diseases at this time. Based on diseases we are currently observing in…

    Posted in:

  • Colletotrichum resistance to QoI fungicides in Georgia

    Phil Brannen

    Please see the link below for information concerning the current status of QoI fungicide resistance in Georgia. This is important information for your 2020 disease control program. Colletotrichum resistance to QoI fungicides such as Abound and Pristine are prevalent throughout Georgia

    Posted in:

  • Anthracnose Outbreak

    Phil Brannen

    Anthracnose is prevalent in strawberry plantings at this time.  As mentioned in the last post, I am concerned about resistance.  If you identify anthracnose in your planting, have it tested for resistance to the QoI (strobilurin) chemistry class (Abound, etc.).  While you wait for test results, apply Switch + Captan at high rates for the…

    Posted in:

  • Anthracnose Resistance Development

    Phil Brannen

    We are observing significant anthracnose epidemics in Georgia strawberries at this time. Unfortunately, we have determined that the anthracnose fungus has developed resistance to the strobilurin (quinone outside inhibitor; FRAC 11) class of fungicides (e.g. Abound, Pristine). This is resulting in extensive disease, as spraying these materials provides no or limited control of the disease…

    Posted in:

  • Testing for Botrytis Resistance in Georgia Strawberries

    Phil Brannen

    We are already having Botrytis showing up on strawberry blooms.  It is therefore a good time to test Botrytis for resistance to the various fungicide classes that are active against this pathogen group.  Clemson University (Guido Schnabel) will once more test for resistance to Botrytis, but this will be the last year the service will…

    Posted in:

  • Fungicide Selection for Botrytis and Anthracnose Fruit Rot Management in Strawberry

    Phil Brannen

    The following link should give you excellent, up-to-date information on selection of fungicides for management of strawberry Botrytis and anthracnose fruit rots.  If you observe Botrytis, this fungus can be tested for resistance development at Clemson University.  If you observe anthracnose, this fungus can be tested for resistance at the University of Florida.  Contact your…

    Posted in: