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.

  • Topsin WSB Special Local Needs Label Approved for GA

    Phil Brannen

    Thanks to UPL, we now have a Topsin label for pruning wounds in Georgia. Please see the attached approved SLN label for Topsin WSB control of Eutypa Dieback in Grapevines. Note that Botryosphaeria dieback is more prevalent in Georgia, but you will get suppression of Botryosphaeria when you spray for Eutypa dieback. As always, follow…

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  • Grape Spray Program Design Workshops

    Phil Brannen

    Agenda: 9:30 Registration 10:00 Disease management considerations for developing a spray program 10:30 Insect management considerations for spray program development 11:00 Group work 12:00 Lunch 12:30 Group work 2:00 Group presentations 3:00 Wrap up and final questions with experts   Workshop dates, registration contacts and locations are below (maximum of 20 participants per location, so…

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  • Survey for Grape Growers and Consultants Relative Disease Management Decisions

    Phil Brannen

    We are involved with a group of scientists who are reviewing several aspects of grape disease management, especially powdery mildew management (the FRAME Network).  If you have time, the FRAME Network wants to hear how you approach disease management decisions.  If you are a grape grower, or a consultant for grape production, please take the…

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  • Powdery Mildew Fungicide Resistance Survey

    Phil Brannen

    The following message is from Brooke Warres, a graduate student in the University of Georgia Plant Pathology Department. “Now that we are at harvest and spray programs may be halted or reduced, powdery mildew will likely be popping up.  As mentioned previously, we are conducting a survey of fungicide resistance in powdery mildew. We are…

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  • Bunch and Leaf Disease Survey for Pierce’s Disease Tolerant Grapes

    Phil Brannen

    I know each of you get survey fatigue, and I do as well.  I promise this one is really, really short though.  Shane Breeden, working with Cain Hickey and I,  is developing a research program to study current and potential hybrid grapes for utility in Georgia and the Southeast as a whole.  As a starting…

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  • Downy Mildew and Pierce’s Disease Updates

    Phil Brannen

    I observed significant Pierce’s disease and downy mildew yesterday, and both diseases are starting to show up in multiple northern Georgia locations now.  As I was looking at plants, I realized that one can confuse early downy mildew and Pierce’s disease if one is not careful.  If plants have confirmed Pierce’s disease, they should be…

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  • Powdery Mildew Warning — Powdery Mildew Found in North Georgia 6/28

    Phil Brannen

    From Brooke Warres, graduate student in Plant Pathology at the University of Georgia. Powdery mildew, caused by the fungus Erysiphe necator, has been found at the UGA Mountain Research Station in Blairsville, GA. The disease was observed on an untreated vine in a fungicide trial. Make sure that your current spray program includes active fungicides…

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  • Here Comes the Rain — Diseases Too

    Phil Brannen

    We have had pretty dry weather recently, but the rainfall of late and predictions for more storms next week will increase the likelihood of downy mildew onset — as well as other fungal diseases of wine grapes.  We are still within a critical stage for cluster infections by downy mildew and other diseases.  Scout aggressively…

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  • Downy Mildew Warning

    Phil Brannen

    I have not personally observed this yet, but county agents and producers are now starting to observe limited downy mildew.  Though it has been drier of late, dew is sufficient for infection, and we have had some rains over the last few weeks that may have initiated infections.  Scout carefully for mildew, and if observed,…

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  • Grape Disease Management Update

    Phil Brannen

    Bloom and post-bloom are critical times for disease management in grapes. Temperatures and rainfall are generally favorable for pathogen development at this time, though conditions are not as wet as those observed last year. This is particularly true for grapes that are susceptible to powdery/downy mildews and Botrytis. The fruit are generally more susceptible to…

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