Dr. Peres's Laboratory 

Overview 

Conducting basic and applied research on important diseases affecting strawberry production in Florida to develop a better understanding of the etiology of the diseases and the environmental factors affecting their development, and to provide more effective disease control recommendations. 

What we do

Our research program focuses on better understanding strawberry disease etiology and the environmental factors affecting their development as well as to develop effective and sustainable disease control methods that will help reduce fungicide applications and lower grower costs.

In addition to that, we also work directly with the strawberry and the ornamental breeders on developing cultivars with some level of disease resistance.

• Pesticide efficiency study
• Cultivar screening
• Alternative methods of plant pathogen control (Ultraviolet light, heat treatment)
• Spray technology
• Plant disease biology
• Plant disease etiology

Impact

Florida is an important producer of major and specialty crops such as citrus, tomatoes, watermelons, and strawberries. The climate in Florida is not only ideal for agriculture but it also facilitates the appearance of plant pathogens.

We aim to better understand plant pathogens and the environmental factors affecting their development as well as to develop effective and sustainable disease control methods.

Lab Accomplishments

1. Strawberry Advisory System (StAS): a web-based decision support tool for timing fungicide applications to control Anthracnose Fruit Rot and Botrytis Fruit rot of strawberry.
2. Explored the potential use of Ultraviolet (UV) light to suppress Powdery Mildew of strawberry.
3. Researched thermotherapy (steam) as a method of control common strawberry pathogens.
4. Development of specific and cost effective molecular diagnostic assays to detect strawberry pathogens.
5. In collaboration with the Strawberry Breeding Program at GCREC we have effectively evaluated over 100 varieties for susceptibility to pathogens affecting strawberry plants.

• MS Students' Work

  Links coming soon! 

• PhD Students' Work

  Links coming soon!

• Dr. Peres's Work
  • Extension Publications 
  • Research Publications