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UGA Blueberry Blog

Phil Brannen

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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.

  • Blueberry Cold Damage Information and Action Items

    Phil Brannen

    With the freeze of last evening, producers are questioning what actions they should take to prevent damage from Botrytis and/or Botryosphaeria.  The answers are not that simple, and it will depend on the type of blueberry and the situation encountered.  I will give some immediate actions, and then I will give later actions. Immediate Actions […]

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  • Mummy Berry Warning

    Phil Brannen

    I have reports from the southern region of the state which would indicate that leaves are starting to emerge on rabbiteye blueberries.  This is truly an early leaf emergence for rabbiteyes, likely due to the exceptionally warm weather we are now experiencing.  Blooms may not be far behind.  As such, it begs the question as […]

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  • Blueberry Anthracnose Fruit Rot and Fungicide Resistance Testing Opportunity

    Phil Brannen

    We had significant anthracnose fruit rot issues in some fields last year, and we now have confirmed reports of anthracnose on ‘Farthing’, with unconfirmed reports on other varieties.  Symptoms appeared very early – even on green fruit, which is unusual.  The expectation is that the fruit will turn blue before you see the anthracnose symptoms. Unfortunately, […]

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  • Early Blueberry Rust

    Phil Brannen

    We have received numerous field reports of early (late March) blueberry rust in 2016, likely as a result of a milder than average winter and the recent heavy rainfall observed in many blueberry production areas.  It is a good time to start scouting for rust if you have not already done so.  Russel Ingram, a […]

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  • Mummy Berry Germination Model Results

    Phil Brannen

    Dr. Harald Scherm ran the mummy berry model today, and it indicates that we are currently in a DANGER period for mummy berry disease initiation.  Harald stated that the temperature-driven model indicated that apothecium (spore-forming structure that develops from overwintered mummies on the ground and in debris) emergence should be well underway based on the balance of […]

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  • Pristine + Captan Products Tank Mix Label

    Phil Brannen

    Due to testing conducted at the blueberry research farm (Alma, GA) by Renee Holland (multi-county blueberry agent) in collaboration with Phil Brannen, BASF has now approved application of Pristine + Captan in a tank mix. Testing of the tank mix combination was conducted on multiple rabbiteye and southern highbush cultivars, and no phytotoxicity was observed […]

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  • Blueberry Rust Alert

    Phil Brannen

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  • Mummy Berry Fungicide Application Triggers

    Phil Brannen

    Based on reports from the field, bloom may be ahead of green tip on some rabbiteye varieties this year.  Producers are keenly aware that green tip is utilized to initiate the first application of fungicides for mummy berry, but they sometimes forget that flowers will be susceptible if flower bud expansion occurs before green tip.   […]

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  • Mummy Berry Model Prediction

    Phil Brannen

    Dr. Harald Scherm has determined the mummy berry potential (germination and development of the apothecia); all southern Georgia blueberries that are showing either green tip or early bloom developmental stages are at high risk for mummy berry infection at this time and going forward. This is especially true as temperatures warm up next week and […]

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  • Response to February Cold Damage and Potential Botryosphaeria Development on South Georgia Blueberries

    Phil Brannen

    The following is largely a synopsis of information previously provided by Gerard Krewer (UGA Professor Emeritus and consultant), Bill Cline (NC State), Dave Lockwood (Univ. of TN), Danny Stanaland (retired county agent and consultant) and myself relative a suggested response to cold damage on blueberries and the potential threat of Botryosphaeria canker development on damaged […]

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