Transcript Diagnosing Plant Problems

Module 5
Sample for Confirmation
of Diagnosis
Plant problems may result in
lost profits for the producer or
disappointing yields for the
home gardener. Knowing the
cause of the problem lets
growers take corrective
measures, if not this year, then
next year.
Shipping Instructions for
USDA Select Agents
• Samples suspected of being a USDA Select Agent
should be double bagged in zip-able plastic bags and
placed in a sturdy shipping box before being submitted
to a Plant Diagnostic Lab.
• All seams on the box should be sealed with tape.
• Overnight shipping is recommended. Otherwise, the
sample may decompose during shipping, since it is
sealed in plastic. The lab you are shipping to might not
normally be available for Saturday deliveries, but the lab
personnel may be available upon request.
Saturday deliveries – usually requires
prior arrangement with lab personnel
General Shipping Instructions for
Routine Samples
When sending routine samples to plant
diagnostic labs, regular mail is usually
sufficient if the sample is not sealed in
plastic. Avoid sending samples late in the
week – it may sit at a post office over the
weekend.
For Plant Samples
Collect as much of the living plant as
possible.
Several plants should be sent for testing,
if feasible, including healthy ones.
Place routine samples in a plastic bag
that is loosely folded at the top, but not
sealed, if the sample is not suspected
to be a USDA Select Agent.
Plant Samples, continued:
Avoid adding moist paper
towels to foliage. Otherwise,
the specimen may decompose
during shipping.
When leaves are showing symptoms,
place some leaves from the sample in
a separate, flat paper envelope.
Box Up Roots and Fruits
Wrap roots and root balls in damp (not
wet) paper towels.
Wrap mushrooms, fruits, and other soft,
fleshy samples in dry paper towels
and place in a sturdy box to prevent
damage.
Damp paper towels
Dry paper towels
For Insect Samples
• Send small insect specimens in a
vial of alcohol (such as isopropyl
alcohol or ethyl alcohol).
• The specimens must be dead.
• Pack larger (dead) insects, such as
moths, in cotton in a sturdy box.
• The sample should then be
packaged and shipped as
described in the ‘Shipping
Instructions for USDA Select
Agents’ section.
For Soil Samples, to Evaluate
for Presence of Nematodes
1. Use a soil probe to collect samples (6 to 8 inches in
depth).
2. Using a zigzag pattern, collect 10 to 20 soil cores per
every 10 to 20 acres.
3. Collect cores from areas of similar soil type and crop
history, and near or within rows, if visible.
4. Dump cores from each 10- to 20-acre set into a bucket or
tub and mix thoroughly.
5. Place 1 pint (2 cups, about 500 cc) of mixed soil in a soil
sampling bag or plastic zippered bag and label with a
permanent marker.
6. Store sample in a cool, dark place until shipped to the lab.
*from the SCN Coalition
Plant Diagnostic Lab Information
Request Forms
• Each plant diagnostic lab usually has a
form that should accompany a sample and
be filled in as completely as possible. Many
labs post these forms on their websites.
Sample Lab Form
Don’t Forget
• If you are unable to obtain a lab form, then
be sure to include your name, address and
phone number with the sample in case lab
personnel have further questions.
• Also include sampling date; number of
acres represented in the sample; crop
history; and a way to identify field or
location from which the sample came, if
possible.
For more information contact your local
State Extension Professional
Go to npdn.ppath.cornell.edu for updates
Thanks for your time and attention!