Module 5Sample 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:

When leaves are showing symptoms, place some leaves from the sample in

a separate, flat paper envelope.

Avoid adding moist paper towels to foliage. Otherwise, the specimen may decompose during shipping.

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!