Disease Management
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In recent days, we’ve received multiple reports of algal stem blotch on blueberry in Georgia. In contrast to the fungal, bacterial, or viral diseases that typically afflict our crop plants, algal stem blotch, as the name indicates, is actually caused by a species of parasitic alga. This, in and of itself, makes it an oddity…
Posted in: Disease Management -
In conventional blueberry production, fungicides are frequently used to manage blueberry diseases. Unfortunately, as a result of repeated fungicide usage, the fungi targeted by these chemicals can develop resistance to specific fungicide modes of action. This ultimately can make these fungicides less effective for disease management. To reduce the chances of this occurring, growers are…
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As the UGA blueberry pathologist, I frequently get pictures of damage to blueberry fruit. Sometimes this damage is caused by a pathogen (fungus, bacteria, etc.) and sometimes this damage is caused by other factors (insects, environmental factors, or especially chemicals). The applications of blends of multiple chemicals, fertilizers, etc. are frequent in agriculture and can…
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Hurricane/Tropical Storm Helene affected much of Georgia’s agriculture, including blueberries. Both wind and extreme rainfall caused their share of issues. In some parts of Georgia’s blueberry-growing region, wind damage (resulting in broken limbs, lost leaves, and blown-over bushes) seems to have caused most of the damage, while in other areas, extreme rainfall seems to have…
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Hurricane/Tropical Storm Debby has brought lots of rain to southeastern Georgia in just a short time. Rainfall totals of over 5 inches were recorded across much of the blueberry growing region in southeastern Georgia in less than 48 hours this week (Nahunta – 7.8 inches, Waycross – 6.4 inches, Alma – 6.3 inches, Lake Park…
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It has been almost 30 days since we have had appreciable rainfall across much of the blueberry growing region in southern Georgia. While most locations in the southern half of the state are not technically in a “drought” (see https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/), it has certainly been dry for the past month. (At my house in Tifton, for…
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University of Georgia Extension and the Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium hosted the first Blueberry IPM Academy for county and area extension professionals in the southeastern U.S. during fall 2021. This event featured presentations by blueberry extension specialists from the Southeast on numerous topics including: Cultural Practices and Fertility, Harvesting and Management, Insect Management, Disease…
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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. BotrytisThe fungus Botrytis cinerea causes Botrytis flower blight and fruit rot on blueberry. Cold-damaged blooms, shoots, and fruit can readily…
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While the upcoming forecasted freeze event is understandably foremost on the minds of those connected to the Georgia blueberry industry right now, diseases associated with bloom remain a concern. Many growers in the southern region of Georgia have initiated sprays for mummy berry disease already, but growers who haven’t already done so are reminded to…
Posted in: Disease Management -
Current Situation Wet weather across Georgia’s blueberry production belt during 2021 has led to some usual and some unusual disease issues in recent months. Through mid-September, 2021 rainfall in Alma, Georgia is running about 12 inches above normal, and rainfall in Homerville, Georgia is over 16 inches above normal. Phytophthora root rot is one…
Posted in: Disease Management -
A new bulletin on blueberry propagation from UGA Cooperative Extension has recently been published. In this bulletin, authors Haralson, Brannen, and Oliver present a set of best practices for blueberry propagation that will help to minimize losses and improve the quality of plants produced. The bulletin is available through UGA Cooperative Extension at: https://secure.caes.uga.edu/extension/publications/files/pdf/B%201540_1.PDF