We have not had a major freeze on our rabbiteye blueberries, and I am hopeful that cold damage will be minimal this year. Cold damage (even a light frost) substantially increases the likelihood of mummy berry disease. However, even without cold damage, we still have rainfall and temperature conditions that can combine to increase infection levels. This chart is from a Maine fact sheet for wild blueberries; it might not perfectly apply in south Georgia, since our blueberry species and local Monilinia populations might respond differently. However, the relation between temperature and moisture is likely a somewhat universal one. Bottom line: rainfall and temperatures may move us into the high infection category this week or next, so having fungicides on target will be critical to management of this disease.
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 blueberry efforts are directed towards developing IPM practices to solve disease issues and technology transfer of disease-management methods to commercial blueberry producers. He also teaches the graduate level Field Pathology 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.
