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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.

  • 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…

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  • Spider Mite Damage on Strawberry

    Phil Brannen

    Shane Curry (Appling County Extension Agent) sent a photo of spider mites (see attached) on strawberry, and the numbers are tremendous.  Strawberry producers should be scouting for mites at this time, since the conditions have been warm enough for the mite population to explode in some areas, despite significant rainfall.  Some of this might be…

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  • Anthracnose Confirmed on Strawberry Fruit and Free Fungicide Resistance Testing

    Phil Brannen

    We confirmed anthracnose on strawberry fruit a couple of days ago in a northern Georgia location.  The recent warm, moist conditions have been obviously acceptable for anthracnose development, and with rain splash, anthracnose can rapidly infect strawberries throughout a planting.  Though it has been dry in some parts of the state, I would still scout…

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