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UGA Citrus Blog

Scientific Information for Georgia Citrus Growers

Jonathan Oliver

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Jonathan Oliver

Dr. Jonathan Oliver is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Georgia. He has a 60% research, 35% extension, and 5% service 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.

  • Stay Alert for Disease Development after Helene

    Jonathan Oliver

    Substantial rainfall and wind from Tropical Storm/Hurricane Helen has resulted in detached fruit, broken limbs, and fallen trees in many citrus groves across southern Georgia. From a disease management perspective, the most immediate concern in the coming weeks will be the development of problems with Phytophthora spp. Phytophthora Diseases of Citrus Phytophthora are organisms that…

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  • Welcome to Dr. Dario Chavez (New UGA Citrus Breeder)

    Jonathan Oliver

    I would like to welcome Dr. Dario Chavez to his new role as the UGA Citrus and Peach Breeder. While Dr. Chavez has been at UGA since 2014, he has recently taken on the new role of UGA’s Citrus Breeder. In this new role, he is expected to be of great benefit to Georgia’s emerging…

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  • Welcome to Dr. Mary Sutton (New UGA Citrus Extension Specialist)

    Jonathan Oliver

    I would like to welcome Dr. Mary Sutton to the UGA-Tifton Campus as the new UGA Citrus Extension Specialist. I am sure that she will be a valuable resource for Georgia’s emerging citrus industry for years to come.

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  • HLB Testing is Available in Georgia Once Again

    Jonathan Oliver

    Information from Dr. Alejandra Jimenez Madrid (Director of the UGA Plant Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory in Tifton): I am happy to announce that the Plant Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory is currently a USDA-certified lab to perform Huanglongbing (HLB or citrus greening) testing. We are excited to provide this advanced testing to commercial growers, homeowners, nurseries, Extension and research personnel,…

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  • Comment Period for Amendment of Citrus Rules (closes on April 21st)

    Jonathan Oliver

    The Georgia Department of Agriculture has recently announced a “Notice of Intent to Amend Citrus Rules“. Regarding the proposed rules, the Department will be accepting written comments from March 23, 2023, until the close of business (4:30 p.m. EST) on April 21, 2023. Comments will be considered on April 24, 2023. Please see the link…

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