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UGA Extension Viticulture Blog

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.

  • Powdery Mildew Resistance Article

    Phil Brannen

    Brooke Warres, a graduate student in the Plant Pathology Department of the University of Georgia, has been researching powdery mildew resistance to QoI and DMI fungicides. The attached is a news article that she composed, and it will be distributed through various outlets. However, you can have a look at it through the attached. I…

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  • Grape Spray Program Design Workshop Cancelled for Ellijay, GA

    Phil Brannen

    The Grape Spray Program Design Workshop for March 17, 2020 at Cartecay Vineyards in Ellijay GA has been cancelled due to Coronavirus issues. We are sorry to announce this, but it is necessary in order to keep everyone as safe as possible. We will reschedule at some point, but please contact your local county agent…

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  • Grape Spray Program Design Workshops Reminder

    Phil Brannen

    UGA Extension Viticulture Blog | Grape Spray Program Design Workshops Disease and insect control are critical components of an IPM program for grapes. Vineyard managers ask questions yearly relative how to set up and administer an efficacious program for management of diseases and insects. In these workshops, vineyard managers will be given the skills and…

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  • Topsin WSB Special Local Needs Label Approved for GA

    Phil Brannen

    Thanks to UPL, we now have a Topsin label for pruning wounds in Georgia. Please see the attached approved SLN label for Topsin WSB control of Eutypa Dieback in Grapevines. Note that Botryosphaeria dieback is more prevalent in Georgia, but you will get suppression of Botryosphaeria when you spray for Eutypa dieback. As always, follow…

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  • Grape Spray Program Design Workshops

    Phil Brannen

    Agenda: 9:30 Registration 10:00 Disease management considerations for developing a spray program 10:30 Insect management considerations for spray program development 11:00 Group work 12:00 Lunch 12:30 Group work 2:00 Group presentations 3:00 Wrap up and final questions with experts   Workshop dates, registration contacts and locations are below (maximum of 20 participants per location, so…

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  • Survey for Grape Growers and Consultants Relative Disease Management Decisions

    Phil Brannen

    We are involved with a group of scientists who are reviewing several aspects of grape disease management, especially powdery mildew management (the FRAME Network).  If you have time, the FRAME Network wants to hear how you approach disease management decisions.  If you are a grape grower, or a consultant for grape production, please take the…

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  • Powdery Mildew Fungicide Resistance Survey

    Phil Brannen

    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 in powdery mildew. We are…

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  • Bunch and Leaf Disease Survey for Pierce’s Disease Tolerant Grapes

    Phil Brannen

    I know each of you get survey fatigue, and I do as well.  I promise this one is really, really short though.  Shane Breeden, working with Cain Hickey and I,  is developing a research program to study current and potential hybrid grapes for utility in Georgia and the Southeast as a whole.  As a starting…

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  • Downy Mildew and Pierce’s Disease Updates

    Phil Brannen

    I observed significant Pierce’s disease and downy mildew yesterday, and both diseases are starting to show up in multiple northern Georgia locations now.  As I was looking at plants, I realized that one can confuse early downy mildew and Pierce’s disease if one is not careful.  If plants have confirmed Pierce’s disease, they should be…

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  • Powdery Mildew Warning — Powdery Mildew Found in North Georgia 6/28

    Phil Brannen

    From Brooke Warres, graduate student in Plant Pathology at the University of Georgia. Powdery mildew, caused by the fungus Erysiphe necator, has been found at the UGA Mountain Research Station in Blairsville, GA. The disease was observed on an untreated vine in a fungicide trial. Make sure that your current spray program includes active fungicides…

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