University of Georgia

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Viticulture

Phil Brannen

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 efforts are directed towards developing IPM practices to solve disease issues and technology transfer of disease-management methods to commercial fruit producers. He also teaches the graduate level Field Pathology Course, the History of Plant Diseases and their Impact on Human Societies 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.

  • EPA Visit Concerning Mancozeb Use on Grapes

    Phil Brannen

    As most of you are aware, EPA developed a Proposed Interim Registration Review Decision (PID) for mancozeb, and as proposed, mancozeb use on grapes would no longer be allowed. Yesterday, Katie Gold (Cornell University) and I visited with several EPA personnel at the Washington, D.C. headquarters concerning the importance of mancozeb to grape production in…

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  • Improving the Utility of Sulfur for Grapevine Powdery Mildew Management

    Phil Brannen

    You might be interested in the results of our sulfur trials on V. vinifera grapes over the last few years. With the advent of powdery mildew resistance to both the QoI (FRAC 11) and DMI (FRAC 3) fungicides in many northern Georgia vineyards, we have tried to learn more about how we can utilize sulfur…

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  • Free Botrytis Fungicide Resistance Testing

    Phil Brannen

    If you see Botrytis in your grapes, it is always a good idea to test for fungicide resistance in your pathogen population. While the funds last, you can receive free testing. The results can provide you with information on which fungicide classes are working and which are not. This will allow you to switch fungicides…

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  • Mancozeb Update

    Phil Brannen

    I know that many of you have had questions concerning mancozeb use this year and moving forward. Katie Gold (Cornell University) reached out to Kelly Sherman with the Pesticide Re-Evaluation Division concerning mancozeb reregistration, and she did receive an informative e-mail response. There is still no specific answer relative the EPA actions concerning mancozeb use…

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  • EPA Extends the Deadline for Mancozeb Comments till 16 October

    Phil Brannen

    See attached for a letter from EPA that extends the date for mancozeb comments till 16 October. I am also including the actual mancozeb review document for your reference as needed. I know that most of you are in the middle of harvest, so I hope this will help to provide a little more time…

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  • Potential EPA Action: All Mancozeb Labels Cancelled for Grapes

    Phil Brannen

    As you are all aware, mancozeb is one of the backbone fungicides for our grape spray programs. EPA is already making changes to captan labels, and though some of these changes will be onerous, they have no impact on our ability to grow grapes in Georgia as compared to the complete removal of mancozeb labels…

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  • Potential Spread of Pierce’s Disease by Spotted Lanternfly

    Phil Brannen

    As most of you are aware, spotted lanternfly (SLF) will soon be in Georgia, and it is already being found throughout the Southeast and other regions. Recent research from Penn State has indicated that the SLF can also spread Pierce’s disease (PD), though the degree of spread is not known. See the link below for…

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  • Pierce’s Disease now Expanding to Higher Elevations

    Phil Brannen

    As I have reported over the last 2-3 years, we are observing warming winter temperatures, and as a result, we are also observing increasing levels of Pierce’s disease (PD). With colder winter temperatures, the bacteria that causes PD, Xylella fastidiosa, can actually be “cured” from the vine. With warmer temperatures, the bacteria survives and kills…

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  • Wine Grape Acid Profile Study Participation

    Phil Brannen

    In Georgia and the Southeast as a whole, we grow vinifera, muscadine and other native grapes, and various hybrids. The acid profiles of these grapes are highly variable, and they will contribute to the quality of wines produced. Dr. Abhinav Mishra (UGA Food Science Department) will be conducting some preliminary experiments to explore the acid…

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  • Fungicide Resistance Testing in Georgia

    Phil Brannen

    We do now have an option for fungicide resistance testing of several pathogens of wine grapes. These include pathogens associated with powdery mildew, downy mildew, ripe rot, and Botrytis. Now is a good time to test, as pathogens are being observed in some vineyards, and testing now can allow you to switch fungicide classes to…

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