Natalia A. Peres

0000-0001-5862-7963

How to Avoid Common Problems with Leaf Wetness Sensor Installation and Maintenance

T. B. Onofre, C. W. Fraisse, N. A. Peres, and J. McNair

Smart Strawberry Advisory System for Mobile Devices

Clyde W. Fraisse, Natalia Peres, and José Henrique Andreis

Florida Strawberry Producers' Experiences with Anthracnose and Botrytis Fruit Rot, and Producers' Use of the Strawberry Advisory System

Tatiana Borisova, Zhengfei Guan, Ekaterina Vorotnikova, Natalia Peres, and John VanSickle

Impatiens Downy Mildew

N. A. Peres and L. A. Warner

Downy mildew on impatiens is of great concern throughout Florida. Winters in south Florida provide high humidity paired with cool nights, creating ideal conditions for disease development. Downy mildews are caused by several different species of pathogens that tend to be plant-host specific. Plasmopara obducens is the pathogen that affects impatiens. Some literature indicates that nighttime temperatures of about 50°F to 72°F favor downy mildew, but the disease has been reported on impatiens year-round in south Florida.

Leaf Spot Diseases of Strawberry

Juliana S. Baggio, James C. Mertely, and Natalia A. Peres

Several different fungi and one bacterium cause leaf spot diseases of strawberry. Symptoms caused by these pathogens are often similar, leading to confusion and misdiagnosis of the disease. This publication focuses on helping growers, crop consultants, and Extension agents with the diagnosis and identification of the most common strawberry leaf spot diseases found in Florida.

The UF/IFAS Strawberry Clean Plant Program

Catalina Moyer, Natalia A. Peres, and Vance M. Whitaker

Florida strawberry growers primarily utilize cultivars developed by the UF/IFAS Strawberry Breeding Program. These cultivars are bred to provide the yield and quality traits needed by the Florida industry. Yet if a new cultivar has the traits that Florida growers need but pathogen-tested planting stock is not available to growers, the cultivar’s impact will be limited. The Clean Plant Program generates the pathogen-tested planting stock that nurseries and growers require.

The Strawberry Advisory System: A Web-Based Decision Support Tool for Timing Fungicide Applications in Strawberry

Willingthon Pavan, Clyde W. Fraisse, Leandro G. Cordova and Natália A. Peres

Viral Diseases of Strawberries

Catalina Moyer, Vance M. Whitaker, and Natalia A. Peres

This publication provides basic information on viral diseases of strawberries with particular emphasis on the presence of SNSV on Florida strawberry plants.

Black Spot of Rose

Jozer Mangandi and Natalia A. Peres

The article describes this fungal disease that that affects nearly all rose cultivars worldwide — causal agent and geographic distribution, symptoms, and control.

Cercospora Leaf Spot of Rose

Jozer Mangandi and Natalia A. Peres

Pestalotia Leaf Spot and Fruit Rot of Strawberry

Juliana S. Baggio and Natalia A. Peres

'Florida Brilliance' Strawberry

Vance Whitaker, Natalia A. Peres, and Shinsuke Agehara

Anthracnose Fruit Rot of Strawberry

James C. Mertely, Bruna B. Forcelini, and Natalia. A. Peres

Anthracnose fruit rot, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum acutatum, is an important disease for strawberry production worldwide. Other species of Colletotrichum, such as C. fragarie and C. gloeosporioides, are less frequently involved in fruit rot. Although fruit rot is the most important symptom caused by C. acutatum, the fungus can also attack other parts of the plant including the crown, leaves, petioles, and roots.

‘Lava Glow’—A New Red Fancy-Leaved Caladium Cultivar

Zhanao Deng, Natalia A. Peres, and Johan Desaeger

‘Lava Glow’ is a new and novel caladium cultivar that produces bright red to red-purple heart-shaped leaves with strong sunburn tolerance and is resistant to leaf spot diseases. This new 7-page publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department is prepared for growers who are interested in growing caladium as a horticultural crop and for greenhouse or nursery growers who are interested in producing potted caladium plants. Written by Zhanao Deng, Natalia A. Peres, and Johan Desaeger.

'Florida Beauty' Strawberry

Vance M. Whitaker, Natalia A. Peres, and Shinsuke Agehara

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. Published by Plant Systems

The Florida Plant Diagnostic Network

C. L. Harmon, A. Hodges, N. Peres, P. D. Roberts, L. Buss, W. T. Crow, J. Xin, and M. Paret

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Citrus Black Spot

Megan M. Dewdney and Natalia A. Peres

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Angular Leaf Spot of Strawberry

Natalia A. Peres and Leandro G. Cordova

Angular Leaf Spot (ALS) is a bacterial disease caused by Xanthomonas fragariae Kennedy & King, a pathogen highly specific to wild and cultivated strawberry, Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne (Legard et al. 2003). ALS is an important disease on winter strawberry production worldwide. In the U.S., it ranks 6th in economic importance after gray mold (Botrytis cinerea L.), verticillium wilt (Verticillium alboatrum Reinke & Berth), powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis L.), anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.), and pythium root rot (Pythium spp.) (Sorensen et al. 1997). The rapid spread of ALS is influenced by the increasing rate of interchange of plant material.

Chapter 16. Strawberry Production

Vance M. Whitaker, Nathan S. Boyd, Natalia A. Peres, Johan Desaeger, Sriyanka Lahiri, and Shinsuke Agehara

Chapter 16 of the Vegetable Production Handbook of Florida

Colletotrichum Crown Rot (Anthracnose Crown Rot) of Strawberry

Natalia A. Peres, M. S. Oliveira, and Steven J. MacKenzie

Describes this serious disease of strawberries in warm production region, its causal agent and symptoms, disease development and spread, and control. Includes a table of products labeled for control of colletotrichum crown rot.

Chapter 19. Biopesticides and Alternative Disease and Pest Management Products

Natalia A. Peres, Gary E. Vallad, Johan Desaeger, and Sriyanka Lahiri

Chapter 19 of the Vegetable Production Handbook of Florida

Powdery Mildew of Strawberry

N. A. Peres and J. C. Mertely

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

2025–2026 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Postbloom Fruit Drop

Natalia A. Peres and Megan M. Dewdney

2025–2026 Florida Citrus Production Guide

Root Necrosis of Strawberry Caused by Colletotrichum acutatum

J. C. Mertely, B. B. Forcelini, and N. A. Peres

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

New Caladium Cultivars ‘Dots Delight’ and ‘Wonderland’

Zhanao Deng and Natalia A. Peres

Caladiums are ornamental aroids valued for their vibrant and morphologically diverse foliage. Grower surveys indicated that they planted more acres of lance-leaved cultivars in recent decades to accommodate rising consumer demand. The caladium breeding program at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center has been developing new lance-leaved cultivars that can produce attractive, robust plants with many bright, colorful leaves and improved tuber yield potential. The program has recently released two new lance-leaved cultivars. ‘Dots Delight’ is well suited for use in sunny landscapes, having excellent tolerance to sunburn and strong resistance to the leaf spot disease. Though they may need one to two additional weeks to produce potted plants, tuber yield potential is intermediate to high. ‘Wonderland’ is well suited for potted plant production in sunny or shady landscapes or gardens and has showed good leaf color display, sunburn tolerance, and leaf health.

Packinghouse Citrus Black Spot ID/Identificación de la Mancha Negra de los Cítricos en las Plantas de Procesamiento

Mark A. Ritenour, Megan M. Dewdney, Natalia A. Peres, and Jamie D. Burrow

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Blueberry Advisory System: A Disease Alert System for Blueberry Anthracnose Fruit Rot

André B. Gama, Douglas A. Phillips, Vinícius A. Cerbaro, Phillip F. Harmon, Clyde W. Fraisse, and Natalia A. Peres

The weather conditions favoring Blueberry anthracnose fruit rot disease incidence and development can be difficult to predict, and it can significantly impact yield under conducive weather patterns. For that reason, the authors of this new 6-page publication of the UF/IFAS Plant Pathology Department developed and validated a web-based disease alert system for blueberry AFR, the Blueberry Advisory System (BAS), to help blueberry growers in Florida identify weather conditions favorable for the disease and improve disease management. Written by André B. Gama, Douglas A. Phillips, Vinícius A. Cerbaro, Phillip F. Harmon, Clyde W. Fraisse, and Natalia A. Peres.

Botrytis Fruit Rot or Gray Mold of Strawberry

J.C. Mertely, M. S. Oliveira, and N. A. Peres

Botrytis fruit rot (BFR), also known as gray mold, is caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea and is one of the most important diseases of strawberry in Florida and worldwide. This 4-page document describes the symptoms and management of BFR among strawberry plants.

Charcoal Rot of Strawberry Caused by Macrophomina phaseolina

N. A. Peres, J. S. Baggio, and J. C. Mertely

Charcoal rot is caused by Macrophomina phaseolina and has become more prevalent in Florida strawberry fields since methyl bromide was phased out. This 4-page publication describes the symptoms, development, and control of charcoal rot in strawberry fields.

2025–2026 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Citrus Black Spot

Megan M. Dewdney, Callie Walker, Pamela D. Roberts, and Natalia A. Peres

2025–2026 Florida Citrus Production Guide

Phytophthora Crown Rot of Strawberry

Natalia A. Peres, Marcus Marin, and Juliana S. Baggio

Phytophthora crown rot, caused mainly by Phytophthora cactorum, is an important disease in Florida strawberry fields.

Growing Strawberries in the Florida Home Garden

Vance M. Whitaker, Natalia A. Peres, Sriyanka Lahiri, Sydney Park Brown, and Craig K. Chandler

Florida is the winter strawberry capital of the world. In commercial and home production, strawberries are grown as an annual crop rather than as perennials. This 4-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department presents guidelines for the successful production of strawberries in the Florida home garden. Minor revision by Vance M. Whitaker, Natalia A. Peres, Sriyanka Lahiri, Sydney Park Brown, and Craig K. Chandler.

Sample Submission Guide for Plant Diagnostic Clinics of the Florida Plant Diagnostic Network

N. Peres, P. F. Harmon, and C. L. Harmon

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Sensation® Brand 'Florida127' Strawberry

Vance M. Whitaker, Craig K. Chandler, and Natalia A. Peres

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. Published by Plant Systems

Common Strawberry Diseases in Florida

Michelle S. Oliveira and Natalia A. Peres

This publication describes symptoms of most common strawberry diseases in Florida and summarizes the efficacy of fungicides labeled for management of such diseases.