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Posts by pbrannen

About pbrannen

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.

Powdery Mildew Fungicide Resistance Survey

Sep 23, 2019 | Written by

The following message is from Brooke Warres, a graduate student in the University of Georgia Plant Pathology Department. “Now that we are at harvest and spray programs may be halted or reduced, powdery mildew will likely be popping up.  As mentioned previously, we are conducting a survey of fungicide resistance…
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Here Comes the Rain — Diseases Too

Jun 8, 2019 | Written by

We have had pretty dry weather recently, but the rainfall of late and predictions for more storms next week will increase the likelihood of downy mildew onset — as well as other fungal diseases of wine grapes.  We are still within a critical stage for cluster infections by downy mildew…
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Downy Mildew Warning

May 30, 2019 | Written by

I have not personally observed this yet, but county agents and producers are now starting to observe limited downy mildew.  Though it has been drier of late, dew is sufficient for infection, and we have had some rains over the last few weeks that may have initiated infections.  Scout carefully…
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Grape Disease Management Update

May 17, 2019 | Written by

Bloom and post-bloom are critical times for disease management in grapes. Temperatures and rainfall are generally favorable for pathogen development at this time, though conditions are not as wet as those observed last year. This is particularly true for grapes that are susceptible to powdery/downy mildews and Botrytis. The fruit…
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Captan Review by EPA

Feb 25, 2019 | Written by

Hello to all.  Captan is currently under review by EPA.  For those of you with interest in this fungicide and its continued use for grapes, please respond with comments to EPA via the link below.  Also, forward to other producers and other researchers outside Georgia and the Southeast who should…
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