Weeds, Diseases and Pests Resources
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This is a new annual guide for managing diseases, insects, weeds, and wildlife in bunch grapes in the Southeast. This regional integrated pest management guide provides recommendations based on information from the manufacturer’s label and performance data from research and Extension field tests. This publication is intended for use only as a guide. Specific rates and application methods are on the pesticide label, and these are subject to change at any time. This publication is a product of the Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium.
Sarah Lowder
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C 1212
Grape Sour Rot
Although grape sour rot can occur in drier climates, the disease complex tends to be especially problematic during wine grape ripening in wet, humid regions. Browning and disintegrating berries and the aroma of vinegar are a few symptoms that characterize grape sour rot. Sour rot ultimately results in crop yield reduction as damaged berries often “shatter,” or fall off the clusters. Sorting out clusters with sour rot that are not suitable for winemaking causes a further reduction in return revenues as less wine is produced. Sour rot is a prominent concern in Eastern U.S. vineyards as it is consistently observed in vineyards, particularly in white-berried cultivars, and questions remain about how to best manage it, particularly with the threat of insecticide resistance development in targeted fruit flies.
Shane Breeden, Phillip M. Brannen, Brett R Blaauw, and Sarah Lowder
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Exobasidium leaf and fruit spot, caused by the fungus Exobasidium maculosum, is an emerging disease affecting both southern highbush and rabbiteye blueberries. In addition to direct yield loss due to fruit drop, lesions on remaining fruit compromise the aesthetic qualities of the fruit as well as the taste, rendering them unmarketable. This circular provides the most current knowledge of this important pathogen/disease of blueberry and its management.
Jonathan E. Oliver and Phillip M. Brannen
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The orange felt (also known as orange cane blotch) disease of blackberry is prevalent in the south. Where ideal environmental conditions occur, this disease may girdle canes or exacerbate other cane diseases, causing subsequent decline and death.
Phillip M. Brannen
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C 1253
Phony Peach Disease
This fact sheet covers phony peach disease: History, symptoms, disease cycle, and management.
Phillip M. Brannen and Kendall Anderson Johnson
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This 2026 update to the regional integrated pest management guide provides recommendations for muscadine grape production in the Southeastern U.S. Recommendations are based on information from the manufacturer’s label and performance data from research and Extension field tests. This publication is intended for use only as a guide. Specific rates and application methods are on the pesticide label, and these are subject to change at any time. This publication is a product of the Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium.
Phillip M. Brannen, Ashfaq A. Sial, Brett R Blaauw, and Sarah Lowder
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This integrated pest management (IPM) guide for blackberry and raspberry production includes management of diseases, insects, and weeds through IPM principles. Topics include pesticide stewardship and safety, insect and disease control, pre-transplant and transplant operations, fungicides and insecticide efficacy comparisons, and spray schedules, weed management, wildlife damage, and more. Recommendations are based on information from the manufacturer’s label and performance data from research and Extension field tests. Specific rates and application methods are on the pesticide label, and these are subject to change at any time. This publication is a product of the Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium.
Jonathan E. Oliver and Phillip M. Brannen
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C 1180
Fescue Toxicosis in Horses
Tall fescue is the primary cool season perennial forage grown in the state of Georgia, and toxicity issues related to the grass can have significant impacts on equine reproduction. Tall fescue is the most heat tolerant of the cool season grasses due to a fungus that grows within the plant called an endophyte. This endophyte produces ergot alkaloids that can have negative effects on animals that eat the infected forage. The toxic effects of the endophyte can be successfully managed by eliminating the grazing or feeding of toxic tall fescue, as described in this publication.
Brenda Jackson and Lisa Baxter
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Stressful plant growing conditions may result in high concentrations of nitrates in forage and plant species commonly found in pastures and hayfields. Animals consuming high-nitrate material will experience symptoms associated with nitrate toxicity or poisoning. This resource answers the most-asked questions about nitrates in forage systems.
Lisa Baxter
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