Pest management Guidelines

  • Grapevine Trunk Diseases Review

    If you are really interested in learning about grapevine trunk diseases, this new journal article is for you (see link).  It is a highly scientific article which covers the state of the art relative this topic.  We mainly have issues with Botryosphaeria-type diseases, and I include Phomopsis in this category as well.  However, we have […]

    Posted in: ,
  • Crown Gall Symptoms

    Crown gall can sometimes be confused with either leaf roll virus or Pierce’s disease. In general, if a plant is a completely brilliant red, this is likely caused by crown gall or some trunk injury.  Pierce’s disease and leaf roll viruses can also have reddened leaves or leaf margins, so this is a little confusing […]

    Posted in: ,
  • Pierce’s Disease Action Items

    Pierce’s disease (PD) is showing up in numerous vineyards on quite a few grape varieties — V. vinifera and hybrids. Vines should be scouted in each vineyard for the three characteristic symptoms of PD: leaf scorch showing marginal chlorosis and necrosis, leafless petioles “match-sticks”, and “green islands” on the canes. In advanced cases, the grapes […]

    Posted in: ,
  • This information is a out of place relative the season, but I want to share it with you while it is fresh on my mind.  Despite a wet year, some producers have experienced significant powdery mildew issues this year — some on the clusters. Powdery mildew contributes to poor grape development, but it also contributes […]

    Posted in:
  • Spotted wing drosophila management

    As a follow up to Phil’s earlier post about managing sour rot and spotted wing drosophila (SWD), I just want to mention that grapes are now becoming attractive to SWD, so if you have had issues with SWD and/or sour rot in the past, now is the time to start considering management options. The research […]

    Posted in: ,
  • Sour Rot Reported — Management Plan

    Sour rot is showing up in some Georgia vineyards (see photo below), and this is really no surprise with our environment.  The classic vinegar smell in the vineyard helps to identify sour rot, as other rots are somewhat similar as they initially develop. We have issues with this disease complex to some degree in most […]

    Posted in:
  • Changes to Recommended Downy Mildew Materials

    Presidio is no longer registered for grape downy mildew management.  This is unfortunate, but Valent confirmed this information. Presidio will be removed from the SRSFC IPM guide.  You can use existing stocks of Presidio, so no worries if you have it on hand at this time. Ranman has confirmed activity against downy mildew, and it […]

    Posted in: , ,
  • Bird & Mammal Prevention/Deterrence

    Please let me introduce myself.  My name is Mike Mengak and I am a Professor & Wildlife Outreach Specialist in the Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources at the University of Georgia.  Our Viticulture Extension Specialist – Dr. Cain Hickey – has invited me to join the “Viticulture Team”.  I appreciate the invitation from […]

    Posted in:
  • I recently had questions at a grower meeting about several aspects of powdery mildew management.  I am currently attending an international meeting on powdery mildew, so it is very helpful to have my opinions supported by true experts in the field of powdery mildew management.  Relative powdery mildew, the following comments may help you in […]

    Posted in:
  • With veraison upon us, I just wanted to remind everyone about the continued threat from Japanese beetles. The adult beetles feed on the soft leaf tissue between veins, which often results in a skeletonized appearance. Below are images from Petit Verdot that Cain observed recently in Virginia that have been severely fed on by Japanese […]

    Posted in: