Phillip M. Brannen

Extension Fruit Disease Specialist

Areas of expertise

Crop and Pasture ProductionPlant BiologyMicrobiologyZoologyHorticultural Production

About

Dr. 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.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy, Plant Pathology/Phytopathology

Auburn University, AL, United States (1996)

Master of Science, Plant Pathology/Phytopathology

University of Georgia, GA, United States (1986)

Bachelor of Science, Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management.

University of Georgia, GA, United States (1983)

Awards and Honors

CAES Alumni Award of Excellence (2024)
Student Career Success Influencer Award 2022 (2023)
IPM Hall of Fame’ (2022)
Senior State Extension Specialist Award (2017)
Walter Barnard Hill Public Service and Outreach Award (2016)
D.W. Brooks Excellence in Extension Award (2015)
2014 Donnie H. Morris Excellence in Extension Award (2014)
Aghon Honorary Society Honorary Member (2013)
Partnership Award Multistate Efforts (2012)
Extension Communication Award (2008)
Outstanding Faculty Presentation (2007)
State and Regional Awards for Communication (2003)
Outstanding Achievements in Extension and Research Award (2003)
Group Honor Award for Excellence (2002)
Certificate of Appreciation (2002)
Award for Excellence (2001)
Top Ten Doctoral Candidates at Auburn University (1994)
Media Award (film) (1990)
Media Award (film) (1989)
UGA Ag Alumni Graduate Student Fellowship (1984)
Gamma Sigma Delta, Agricultural Honor Society (1984)
UGA Agriculture Scholarship, R. J. Reynolds Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship (1983)
William Tyler Ray Scholarship (1982)

Courses

PATH 6740: Integrated Pest Management (Fall 2025)
CRSS 4740: Integrated Pest Management (Fall 2025)
CRSS 6740: Integrated Pest Management (Fall 2025)
ENTO 6740: Integrated Pest Management (Fall 2025)
PATH 8000: Field Plant Pathology (Fall 2025)
ENTO 4740: Integrated Pest Management (Fall 2025)
PATH 7000: Master's Research (Fall 2025)
PATH 7000: Master's Research (Spring 2026)
PATH 9000: Doctoral Research (Spring 2026)
PATH 7000: Master's Research (Summer 2026)
PATH 9000: Doctoral Research (Summer 2026)
PATH 8000: Field Plant Pathology (Summer 2026)
PATH 3050: Viticulture and Enology in the Mediterranean Region (Summer 2026)
HORT 3050: Viticulture and Enology in the Mediterranean Region (Summer 2026)
FDST 3050: Viticulture and Enology in the Mediterranean Region (Summer 2026)
PATH 4960R: Faculty-Mentored Undergraduate Research I (Summer 2026)
ENTO 6740: Integrated Pest Management (Fall 2026)
PATH 6740: Integrated Pest Management (Fall 2026)
CRSS 6740: Integrated Pest Management (Fall 2026)
ENTO 4740: Integrated Pest Management (Fall 2026)
PATH 8000: Field Plant Pathology (Fall 2026)
PATH 9000: Doctoral Research (Fall 2026)
PATH 7300: Master's Thesis (Fall 2026)

Scholarly Works

UGA Peach Disease Specialist Provides Update on Brown Rot, Specialty Crop Grower, (2026).
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Rain Contingent: Bacterial Spot’s Yearly Threat to Southeast Peaches, Specialty Crop Grower this Week, (2026).
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Peach Producer Beware: Weather Conditions Conducive for Anthracnose Development, Specialty Crop Grower this Week, (2026).
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Bacterial Spot Becoming Problem on Untreated Peaches, Specialty Crop Grower, (2026).
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UGA Fruit Specialist Hopeful Peach Crop Dodges Diseases Amid Increased Rains, Specialty Crop Grower, (2026).
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View full list of scholarly works