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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.

  • New Publication Announcement: Evaluating Fruit Quality of Citrus Varieties in Georgia

    Jonathan Oliver

    Jake Price, the Citrus Area Agent for UGA Extension, has recently come out with an extension publication on evaluating fruit quality of citrus. A permanent link has been added to the header of the citrus blog, and this publication can also be found at the following link: Evaluating Fruit Quality of Citrus Varieties in Georgia

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  • Information about upcoming freezing weather (December 2022)

    Jonathan Oliver

    Jake Price, Area Citrus Agent at the University of Georgia recently shared the following information: “The upcoming freeze event will be one of the biggest challenges faced so far by Georgia and North Florida citrus growers. In past years, we have experienced one or two nights of temperatures in the lower 20’s or possibly upper teens…

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  • ALERT: Citrus Canker Confirmed in 2nd Georgia County (Bulloch)

    Jonathan Oliver

    Citrus canker has been confirmed within a commercial citrus grove in Bulloch County, Georgia – the second county in Georgia where citrus canker has been identified during 2022. This bacterial disease, which is subject to USDA-APHIS quarantine regulations, is widespread within Florida, and has also been found previously in Louisiana (2014), Texas (2016), Alabama (2021), a South…

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  • ALERT: Citrus Canker Confirmed in Georgia

    Jonathan Oliver

    On June 14th, 2022, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) announced that citrus canker has been confirmed within a commercial citrus grove in Decatur County, Georgia. This bacterial disease, which is subject to USDA-APHIS quarantine regulations, is widespread within Florida, and has also been found previously in Louisiana (2014), Texas (2016), Alabama (2021), and in…

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  • ALERT: Citrus Canker found in South Carolina nursery

    Jonathan Oliver

    Citrus canker (a bacterial disease of citrus) was identified in Alabama in 2021. Now it has been found in a nursery in South Carolina also. Citrus canker is found throughout Florida and in limited areas of Louisiana and Texas. Accordingly, residential and commercial citrus growers in Georgia should be on the lookout for citrus canker,…

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