Welcome to the Grape Sensing, Pathology, and Extension Lab (GrapeSPEC)
Led by Dr. Katie Gold, the GrapeSPEC Lab at Cornell University advances the science of plant disease sensing to improve integrated grape and crop disease management. Based at Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, NY, in the heart of Finger Lakes wine country, we combine cutting-edge sensing technologies with plant pathology to enable earlier, smarter responses to vineyard disease threats. Our research spans from autonomous vineyard rovers to satellites, using in situ and imaging spectroscopy (hyperspectral imaging) to detect disease, assess plant health, and evaluate management strategies across spatial scales. As New York’s lead extension program for grape disease management, we provide growers with science-driven tools and strategies for sustainable production. Our “integrated sensor management” approach helps growers harness digital viticulture technologies to inform on-farm decisions.
We also host large-scale fungicide efficacy trials for key grapevine diseases across our 9+ acres of pathology vineyards. For more information on our trials click here.
Explore our research page for detailed project highlights and current initiatives.
Recent Posts
- Exploring NASA AVIRIS3 imagery collected over FLX vineyards August 4, 2025
- AVIRIS4Acres-NY successfully captures hyperspectral imagery over Cornell and USDA-ARS research farms July 28, 2025
- Notice to NY Grape Growers: NASA AVIRIS-3 Imaging Flights over Finger Lakes & Lake Erie Vineyards | July 21 – Aug 15 July 17, 2025
- Information for Researchers on NASA AVIRIS-3 Imaging Flights over Cornell Research Farms— July 21– Aug 15 July 17, 2025
- Potential Effects of the Proposed 50 % U.S. Tariff on Imported Copper on Copper‑Based Fungicides July 9, 2025