Diagnosis form

Gardening From The Ground Up

[ What is a Garden ] [ The Gov. and the scientist. ] [ Frequent Questions ] [ Landscape horticulture ] [ The Biosphere ] [ NM Soils ] [ Botany ] [ Native Trees and Shrubs ] [ Plants for NM ] [ Vegetable Varieties ] [ Fruits ] [ Grass1 ] [ Plant Disease Defined ] [ Pest Management (IPM) ] [ Weeds ] [ Water Gardening ] [ Drip Irrigation ] [ Composting ] [ House plants ] [ Other Resources ]

What's New

Tomatoes 2008
Composting.ppt
Iris with music.ppt
Flowers and bulbs in garden.ppt

How to Collect and Send Plant Specimens for Disease Diagnosis

Good plant specimens are needed to diagnose plant problems accurately. It is difficult, if not impossible, to determine the cause of death from a single leaf, dried or old specimen, or (especially) a dead plant. Healthy plants from the same area are also helpful to a diagnostician. It is also important to include the margin of the disease (where healthy and diseased tissue come together) in the sample, especially with stem and branch disorders.

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING SPECIMENS TO THE EXTENSION PLANT PATHOLOGIST FOR DIAGNOSIS
Please read and follow these instructions before submitting specimens.

Collecting
1. Provide as much information regarding the specimen as possible. Fill out a "Plant Specimen Submission" form.

    A. Identify the plant material (variety), acreage (when applicable), and indicate the percentage of plants affected.
    B. Indicate when the symptoms first started and whether or not the symptoms are continuing to develop or spread.
    C. List all cultural practices such as irrigation frequency, rate and time of chemical application (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, etc.), fertilizer regime, and crop rotation over the previous three years when applicable.
    D. Try to give an estimate of the weather conditions preceding and during symptom development.
    E. For home or urban plantings, indicate the type of environment in which the plant is growing (lawn, flower bed, pot, house, greenhouse, etc.). A photograph of the plant in its environment, when available, can be extremely helpful to the diagnostician.

        2. Select material showing the symptoms. If possible, it is best to send several samples showing various stages of the problem. Early stages of symptom development are especially important.
        3. Send samples of all plant parts, including roots whenever possible. Aboveground symptoms may be caused by root or stem diseases; thus examining all parts can be essential for an accurate diagnosis. Dig plants (do not pull them) out of the soil. Pulling plants out of the soil will generally break off the roots, especially if they are rotten. Retain a small amount of soil around the roots. Do not wash roots. Keep the roots and soil separate from the aboveground parts of the plant by placing them in a plastic bag and sealing them off with a rubber band.
        4. When the entire plant cannot be sent, send several affected portions of the plant. Remember to include the margin of disease on stem and branch samples.
        5. If you suspect vascular wilt diseases, such as Verticillium wilt, send a sample from dying or wilted branches with yellow leaves. Remember, do not send dead wood. Place several branch sections 1/4-1" in diameter and approximately 6" in length in a plastic bag. This will prevent the sample from drying in transit.
        6. Turfgrass samples should be taken from the edge of the affected area and include both dying and healthy plants. Again, do not send dead grass. Send several 3" x 3" squares of sod including at least 1" of soil. Wrap the sample in a thin layer of damp (not wet) paper toweling, then wrap in dry newspaper.
        7. Fleshy specimens such as fruit, mushrooms, or other fungal fruiting bodies should be as firm as possible and show both early and intermediate symptoms. Wrap specimens separately in dry paper toweling or dry newspaper. Do not put in plastic. Pack specimens so they are not crushed during shipping.

Packing
      1. Keep plants cool and moist prior to shipping. Use an ice chest when collecting samples, then place them in the refrigerator until they can be sent.
        2. Pack in a sturdy container to prevent crushing during transit. Use newspaper to pack specimen firmly in the container.
        3. Identify the package with labels both outside and inside. Be sure to include your name, mailing address, and phone number. Don't forget to include an explanation of the diseased material.
        4. Mail specimens as soon as possible after collection. Mail early in the week to avoid delivery delays over weekends and be aware of holidays that also might delay delivery.
            Address packages to: Natalie Goldberg, Extension Plant Pathologist NMSU-CES Box 3AE Las Cruces, NM 88003-8003

The diagnosis you receive is only as good as the sample you send. In some cases, diagnoses may require tests or equipment that are not available in our facility. In those cases, commercial laboratories specializing in plant disease diagnosis may be recommended. While time devoted to individual samples is limited, diagnosis reports will reflect considered opinion and best judgement based on all the information available. Accurate information regarding the sample and diseased material that is submitted properly will help the diagnostician provide an accurate diagnosis. For some problems, such as insect damage, other professionals may be consulted. Specimens may be forwarded to scientists more qualified to analyze the material. Remember, proper diagnosis begins with you. Submitting good-quality specimens accompanied by complete and accurate information is the first step in identifying and solving the problem. Your satisfaction may depend on it!

PLANT SPECIMEN SUBMISSION FORM Sample No. (To be filled out by plant pathologist) _________________________________

PLEASE REMEMBER...Successful plant disease diagnosis is a team effort. Please follow the guidelines and submit the best sample possible. Answer to the best of your ability.

Grower/Homeowner Submitted by: (If different from grower) Name, Address, and Phone Number __________________________________ _________________________________ __________________________________ _________________________________ __________________________________ _________________________________ County ___________________________

Variety (Genus and species, and/or common name of plant) ________________________________

Symptoms (Circle all that apply) Plant parts affected: roots, crowns, stems, branches, leaves, fruit Symptoms: spots, tipburn, distortion, mosaic or mottle, chlorosis (yellowing), necrosis, mildew, blisters, defoliation, wilt, dieback, blight, stunting, canker, gall rot, Other: _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Symptoms (circle one): spreading or localized When did symptoms first appear? ______________________________________________________

Number or Percent of Plant(s) Infected ____________________________________________

Soil Type (circle all that apply) Sand, silt, clay, well-drained, poorly-drained, heavy, light

Growing Conditions (circle all that apply) Indoors (home/office), greenhouse, home garden, lawn, landscape, organic garden, commercial field, other ____________________________________________________________________________

Weather Conditions immediately prior to and during development of symptoms (Circle all that apply) Wet, dry, humid, windy, dusty, hail Temperature (öF) _____________ Other Conditions ____________________________________

Irrigation History (Circle all that apply) Furrow, flood, drip, sprinkler, hand How often _____________________________________________________________________

Fertilization History (type, nutrient ratio, amount applied, and frequency of application) ________________________________________________________________________

Chemicals Applied (Chemical name, method of application, frequency of application, and amount applied) _____________________________________________________________________________

Cropping History (for agricultural fields or home gardens) Rotation (previous 3 years) _______________________________________________________
Past problems (in field) __________________________________________________________ Acreage___________________________________________________________________________ Percent plants affected ___________________________________________________________

Other Information: ________________________________________________________________

08/10/2004
[Add this page to the Navigation view to display hyperlinks here]