Transcript Submitting Diagnostic Samples - Florida Plant Diagnostic Network

National Plant Diagnostic Network
Submitting Diagnostic Samples:
Quality and Security
First Detector Webinar Training
October 14,2008
Adapted from “Module 3 : Submitting Diagnostic Samples”
by Creswell, Thomas, Cullen, Buss, Hodges, Harmon,
Wright, and Ailshie. December 2006.Update, August 2008.
NPDN Publication No. 0010
Edited and presented by Gail Ruhl, Purdue University
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Sample Security
 Communication: Early contact with
diagnostic labs and regulatory officials
 Delivery details: Where, How, When
 Confidentiality
 Accuracy of source data
 Chain of custody
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Sample Quality
Diagnosis or ID is only as good as the
sample provided.
• Representative sample
•Digital images
• Fresh and in good condition
• Rapid delivery may be critical
Diagnosis or ID is only as good as the
information provided.
Fill out the clinic form fully
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Samples Must Contain the
Correct Plant ‘Part’
Foliage diseases
Lesions / Damage
on stem?
Root problems
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
When the plant is too big
to submit:
 Include digital images of
the site and symptoms
observed
 Include affected
branches with healthy
and diseased tissue
 Include feeder roots and
soil
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Field patterns may be clues to:
Chemical injury? Nematodes? Root diseases?
Photo: Clemson University - USDA Cooperative
Extension Slide Series, www.forestryimages.org
Tobacco: Phytophthora
root/stem rot
Photo: Tom Jordan, Purdue University
Corn: Herbicide Injury
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Incidence VS. Severity
Incidence: Percent of
the crop affected
Severity: a measure of impact
on a plant or the crop
Photo: Clemson University - USDA Cooperative
Extension Slide Series, www.forestryimages.org
Photo: Andrej Kunca, National Forest Centre Slovakia, www.forestryimages.org
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Dead Plants Tell no Tales
 Avoid dead plants
 Choose plants which
show a range of
symptoms: moderate to
severe
Photo: Ron Jones, North Carolina State
University, www.forestryimages.org
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Sample Quality
When collecting samples:
•Keep samples fresh in a cooler with ice packs
•Have plastic bags and ties
• Bring labels and permanent markers
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Sample Quality:
Packaging & Shipping
 Keep soil on roots
 No extra water
 Wrap in dry paper then double bag in
plastic
 Disinfest exterior of bags
 Strong crush-proof box, tape all seams
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Packaging and Shipping
Keep soil on roots –not on foliage
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Good Packaging
Photos: Tom Creswell, North Carolina State
University, www.forestryimages.org
 Plastic bag to keep soil
on roots
 Dry paper towels to
protect leaves from
contact with plastic bag
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Packaging and Shipping Blunders
Soil on foliage
during shipping creates
‘diseases’ that were not
there when the sample
was collected.
Photos: Tom Creswell, North Carolina State
University, www.forestryimages.org
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Good Packaging
Photo: Gail Ruhl,Purdue Univeristy
Paper or packing tape used to cover the surface of the pot
to keep soil contained during shipment to a diagnostic lab
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Packaging
& Shipping
Good Intentions
Actual Results
Photos: Tom Creswell, North Carolina State University
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Proper
Packaging
Crush-Proof
Box
Photos: Gail Ruhl, Purdue University
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Secure Packaging
Suspect select agents, invasives and
exotics should be double bagged.
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
What Every Clinic Wants to Know….
Who? -Who sent the sample? Client contact
What?
information?
What is the host? Your main concern?
Symptoms observed?
When? When did it show up?
Where? Where in the field, Distibution,
% affected?
How? How has the site been treated? Pesticides,
Fertilizer, Rainfall…
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Sample Delivery
Client
Extension Educator
Diagnostician
Diagnostician
Regional Center
Postal
Service
External
Expert(s)
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Digital Images
 Digital images can
assist with secure
identification
 Digital images may
allow for rapid
detection of possible
suspect exotic agents
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
What Every Entomologist
Wants to Know…..
 Who collected the sample? Include their contact
information.
 Location on Host Plant? Roots, Stems, Flowers,
Buds, Leaves, etc.
 Where was the insect found?
 Field Crops, Greenhouse, Residence, Landscape
 Location: Address, Nearest intersection, GPS
data
 Degree of infestation, extent of damage
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Insect Samples
Poor Packaging = Body Parts!
Properly Packaged Mailing
Tubes Protect Samples!
Photos: Lyle Buss, University of Florida
Photo: Tom Creswell, North Carolina State University
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Insect Samples
Most insects can be
preserved in a vial
with 70% isopropyl
(rubbing) or ethyl
alcohol.
Shipping restrictions may
occur. See notes section or
contact your local lab.
Photo: Tom Creswell, North Carolina State University
Photo: Scott Bauer, USDA Agricultural Research
Service, www.forestryimages.org
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Insect Samples
 Caterpillars should
be placed in boiling
water for 1 minute
prior to
preservation.
 Don’t Microwave
 Include some
caterpillars live on
host plant foliage.
Top Photo:Gerald J. Lenhard, Bugwood.org
Bottom Photo: Clemson University - USDA
Cooperative Extension Slide Series,
www.forestryimages.org
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Insect Samples
 Scales, mealybugs
and other tiny
arthropods may be
submitted on the
host.
 Wrap plant material
in dry paper towel
before placing in
bag.
 Double bag
suspected exotics.
Photos: Florida Department of Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Insect Samples
 Collect multiple samples
of all available life stages.
 May need extra samples
available if a new record.
 May need specific life
stage or both sexes for ID.
 Which whitefly life stage is
used for ID?
<<< Pupa
Photos: Jim Baker, North Carolina State University
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Insect
Samples
 Digital photos of
damage and insect
assist with
identification.
 Describe the level of
infestation on the
plant.
Top Photo: Tom Creswell, North Carolina
State University, www.forestryimages.org
Bottom Photo: Gail Ruhl,Purdue University
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Photo: Clemson University - USDA Cooperative
Extension Slide Series, www.forestryimages.org
Boring
Piercing/Sucking
Photo: James Solomon, USDA Forest
Service, www.forestryimages.org
Photo: William M. Ciesla, Forest Health Management
International, www.forestryimages.org
Photo: E. Bradford Walker, Vermont Department of Forests,
Parks and Recreation, www.forestryimages.org
Leaf mining
Skeletonizing
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Insect Samples: DOs







Collect multiple samples
Collect portion of the infested plant
Send Pictures
Preserve as needed
Ship quickly
Exotics? notify specialist, ship next day air
Include complete and accurate collection
data

Double bag specimens containing
suspected exotic species.
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Insect Samples: DON’Ts





Crush samples in tissue or plastic wrap
Tape them to paper
Overcrowd them (dead or alive)
Send them without complete and
accurate information
Collect broken body parts
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Weed and Plant ID
 Also for ID of insect or
disease host (if
unknown)
 Collect intact
specimens.
 Preserve and package
sample properly.
 Exotics? Seal box inside
and out, double bag.
Photo: Jeffrey Mullahey, University of
Florida, www.forestryimages.org
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Weed and Plant ID
 Include: Flowers, Fruits, Stems,
Leaves, Roots
 May preserve samples by pressing
and drying in newspaper
Photos: Florida Department of Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Weeds:
We want it all
• stems
• roots if possible
• whole leaves attached to
the stem
• flowers, fruits, or seeds.
All Photos: John D. Byrd, Mississippi State
University, www.forestryimages.org
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Weeds: What Every Botanist
Wants to Know……
 Where did it come from?
 Pasture? Greenhouse? Home landscape? Field?
 Location: Address, Nearest intersection, GPS data
 Digital photos can be useful if they are close-ups
and very clear.
 Be specific on collection information! The more
information you can give, the better, and faster,
the diagnosis will be.
 Where was the sample found?
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Secure and Quality Sample
Submissions
HELP US TO HELP YOU
With the
Identification of
High Consequence Pathogens
and Pests of Concern
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Author Information
Tom Creswell, North Carolina State University
Carla Thomas, University of California
Richard Cullen, University of Florida
Lyle Buss, University of Florida
Amanda Hodges, SPDN, University of Florida
Carrie Harmon, SPDN, University of Florida
Kathy Wright, Kansas State University
Tray Ailshie, Kansas State University
Submitting Diagnostic Samples
Publication Details
• This publication can be used for non-profit,
educational use only purposes. Photographers
retain copyright to photographs or other images
contained in this publication as cited. This material
was developed as a topic-based training module for
NPDN First Detector Training. Authors and the
website should be properly cited. Images or
photographs should also be properly cited and
credited to the original source.
• Publication Number: 0010
• Publication Date: December 2006