Submitting Plant Diagnostic Samples - UNL CropWatch, May 23, 2013

Published before 2015

Diagnostic Clinic Fee Changes

The UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic is revising its fee structure effective June 1, 2013.

A base fee of $15 will be charged for every sample submitted. Clients will be notified if additional cultures or serological tests need to be conducted for positive diagnoses. An additional $10 fee will be charged for culturing and/or performing a serological test. The fee for a nematode community analysis also has been increased.

Base Sample Fee — $15.
(For visual diagnosis of disease, insect injury/identification, nutrient deficiency and chemical injury)

(+) Culture Fee — $10.
(Additional fee for samples that need isolation of pathogenic fungi and bacteria)

(+) Serological Test Fee — $10.
(Additional fee for samples that need to be tested with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] or lateral flow chromatography)

Total —$25

Nematode Community Analysis — $40

May 24, 2013

Quality Samples Lead to Better Diagnoses

Correct identification of insects and other pests and diagnoses of diseases can help you provide effective, targeted treatment. Non-specific treatments may not actually control the pest and can inadvertently harm beneficial insects as well as waste your money.

Follow these simple steps to submit quality crop samples. (Additional tips for submitting samples of herbaceous plants, turf, woody plants, other plants, insects, and chemical injury are available on the Sample Submission page of the UNL Plant Disease Central website.)

Tips for Providing Quality Samples

Send several whole plants, roots and all, that represent all stages of the symptoms being expressed. Often what appears to be a leaf problem can be a root problem.
Include “normal” plants from area near the symptomatic plants for comparison.
Enclose the root ball in a plastic bag to keep the soil from touching the leaves.
Place entire plant sample in a plastic bag to reduce drying.
NEVER ADD WATER TO THE BAG. If sample is excessively wet, add a dry paper towel to the bag.
Fill out a Submission Form and include it with the sample. Provide the following information:
- Chemical history (current and previous year)
- Planting date
- Crop growth stage
- Symptom description
- How many plants in the area are affected?
- What is the symptom distribution (low-lying areas, field entrance, strips, etc)
- Field history
Keep samples cool and place in a sturdy container for shipping.
Ship early in the week (Monday-Wednesday) to:

Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic
448 Plant Science Hall
Lincoln, NE 68583-0722

Kevin Korus
Coordinator, UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic

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