Extension Plant Diagnostic Clinic Report -2005

In 1965, the plant diagnostic clinic was established to support county extension specialists as well as private citizens, businesses and other agencies. The clinic handles samples submitted for disease, insect, and weed identification, providing management recommendations as well. Most clinic operations are handled by clinic staff, however other Division of Plant Science Agronomy, Entomology, Horticulture, and Plant Microbiology and Pathology extension faculty handle insect and weed identification and assist when needed. Please see our website at http://soilplantlab.missouri.edu/plant/index.htm for more information about the plant diagnostic clinic and sample submission.

In 2005, most samples were submitted through the mail while some were personally delivered to the clinic. A few digital photos were also submitted by e-mail. Samples were submitted from 80 Missouri counties with Boone County submitting the most samples (15 percent). Over 80 percent of the samples were received between May and September, although the clinic received samples all year.

Fireblight on ornamental pear. Photo by Simeon Wright

Disease diagnostic samples
In 2005, woody ornamental samples were the most common submission, however a greater portion of our samples were from field crops compared with recent years. We also received forage, fruit, herbaceous ornamental, turf, and vegetable samples. The top 5 plants submitted to the clinic were soybean, oaks, maples, corn, and pines respectively. For many types of plants, sample volume was too low to identify any trends, however common problems associated with tree samples this year included Dutch elm disease, environmental factors (often irrigation problems associated with newly planted trees), fire blight (ornamental apples and pears), general decline symptoms due to a variety of factors, leaf scorch, and oak wilt. Other woody and herbaceous ornamentals were most frequently diagnosed with spider mites, Phytophthora root rot, leaf scorch and environmental issues (often the wrong plant for the site, irrigation problems).

The clinic saw a significant increase in sample volume in 2005 over the previous year. We hope to increase this number significantly again in 2006 to better serve the people of Missouri and consequently look forward to any samples you are able to send. The more samples the clinic receives, the more information we all have about the plant problems occurring in Missouri.

Dogwood sample. Photo by Simeon Wright

Insect and weed samples
We also had an increase in insect and weed samples for identification. Drugstore beetles, sawtoothed grain beetles, termites, and varied carpet beetles were the most common insect submissions. We did not receive enough weed samples to identify any patterns in 2005, but welcome your additional insect and weed submissions in 2006.

Questions
If you have any questions about fees or how to submit samples, turn-around time, or anything else, see our website at: http://soilplantlab.missouri.edu/plant/index.htm.

You can also contact the lab by e-mail at plantclinic@missouri.edu or by phone at 573-882-3019.

Simeon Wright
Coordinator
Plant Diagnostic Clinic
573-882-3019