Division of Research & Innovation
UofM Researchers Advance Early Detection of Orchard Pathogens to Protect West Tennessee Peach Production
State-funded project aims to improve crop management, reduce costs, and strengthen regional specialty agriculture
Dr. Shawn Brown, associate professor of Biological Sciences and associate director of the University
of Memphis ACRE Institute (Agricultural and Conservation Research and Education),
has been awarded funding from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture through the
USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant program to lead a new research initiative focused
on early detection of plant pathogens in West Tennessee orchards. The project, conducted
in collaboration with Dr. Jennifer Mandel, professor of Biological Sciences and director of ACRE, will focus on economically
significant pathogens affecting tree fruits, with an emphasis on peaches.
Using aerial sampling, spore trapping, and pathogen monitoring, the research team will develop predictive models to identify when and where pathogens are likely to emerge. These models are designed to provide growers with actionable, real-time insights to better protect crop yields and optimize disease management strategies.
Peaches represent a key specialty crop in West Tennessee, particularly as producers increasingly diversify beyond traditional commodity crops facing market pressures. However, current disease management practices often rely on routine, preventative spraying, regardless of actual pathogen presence. This project aims to refine those practices by enabling more targeted, data-driven interventions—helping farmers reduce input costs while maintaining strong and reliable yields.
A hallmark of this initiative is its strong collaboration with regional producers, whose expertise and partnership are integral to the project’s success. Participating partners include Jones Orchards (Millington), Buzzard Roost Farms (Pinson), Tony McNeil (Pinson), Agricenter International (Memphis), and The Works Inc. (Memphis). Together, the research team and community partners will develop practical, farmer-informed recommendations that enhance flexibility and sustainability in orchard management.
This project reflects the University of Memphis’s commitment to advancing applied agricultural research, supporting local producers, and strengthening food systems across Tennessee.
For more information on this project, contact Brown at spbrown2@memphis.edu.