A website from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at University of Georgia.

UGA Blueberry Blog

Posts by Jonathan Oliver

About Jonathan Oliver

Dr. Jonathan Oliver is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Georgia. He has a 75% research and 25% extension appointment. Dr. Oliver started in his current position at the University of Georgia in mid-2017 as an extension fruit pathologist at the Coastal Plains Experiment Station in Tifton, Georgia. His responsibilities include research and extension activities focused on pathogen biology and disease management in fruit crops grown primarily in the southern part of Georgia, including blueberries, blackberries, citrus, and other emerging fruit crops. Dr. Oliver obtained a BS degree in Plant Pathology and Microbiology & Cell Science from the University of Florida in 2005, and a PhD in Plant Microbe Biology from Cornell University, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY in 2011. In addition, he has also been postdoctoral researcher at Kansas State University and Auburn University. At Auburn, he characterized the interactions between the emerging bacterial pathogen, Xylella fastidiosa, and its blueberry plant hosts. He currently serves as a Plant Pathology Section editor for the Southeast Regional Blueberry Integrated Management Guide.

Disease management recommendations following 2019 freeze damage

Mar 8, 2019 | Written by

Following recent freezes in the Georgia blueberry production region, the threat exists for subsequent damage from fungal pathogens. On tissues already damaged by freezes, two fungal pathogens of particular concern are Botrytis and Botryosphaeria.  In addition, root zone saturation from overhead freeze protection/subsequent rainfall can lead to issues with Phytophthora…
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Captan Fungicide Review Process

Feb 28, 2019 | Written by

Captan is under a draft risk assessment in the registration review process and the deadline to submit comments was extended to March 15, 2019. You can submit your comments at this link. We appreciate your supporting comments on the benefits of captan – its role in disease management and in fungicide…
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Mummy Berry Threat is HIGH (as of 2/12/2019)

Feb 12, 2019 | Written by

Recent warmer, damp weather has led blueberry growers in the southern region of Georgia to initiate sprays for mummy berry disease. According to the mummy berry model developed by Dr. Harald Scherm (UGA), there is a HIGH RISK for mummy berry disease initiation in southern Georgia as of February 12th, 2019. …
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Mummy Berry Risk Remains Low (as of 1/15/19)

Jan 16, 2019 | Written by

In the southern region of Georgia, recent bouts of warmer than normal weather and earlier than normal emergence of leaves has led to the question of whether there is currently a risk of mummy berry infections developing. According to the mummy berry model developed by Dr. Harald Scherm (UGA), as of…
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Disease Development Following 2018 Freeze Damage

Mar 16, 2018 | Written by

Following the damage to blueberries in Georgia caused by recent freezes, the threat exists for subsequent damage from fungal pathogens. On tissues already damaged by the freezes, two fungal pathogens of particular concern are Botrytis and Botryosphaeria. Botrytis The fungus Botrytis cinerea causes Botrytis flower blight and fruit rot on…
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Mummy Berry Threat is High

Feb 15, 2018 | Written by

In the southern region of the state, leaf emergence on blueberries coupled with recent rains and warmer temps leads to the question of whether mummy berry will be an issue (infections at green tip or early bloom, whichever comes first).  Mummy berry disease epidemics are set-up by the synchronized release…
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