Submitting Samples to Extension Plant Diagnostic Clinic

As your plants begin to grow this spring, hopefully you can enjoy their beauty without having to deal with any plant problems. However, sometimes there are plant disorders that appear despite your best efforts. There are many reasons a plant may decline or die. It could be a biotic problem, caused by a living organism such as an insect, a fungus, bacteria, virus or nematode. The problem could also be abiotic in nature, such as a nutritional disorder, weather damage, mechanical or chemical injury. The University of Missouri Extension Plant Diagnostic Clinic exists to help you with these problems. With a properly submitted sample and detailed background information, we are able to diagnose your plant problem and give you useful management information.

Why should I get a lab diagnosis?
In situations where you do not have a certain diagnosis, you might spend a lot of time and money on pesticides that are not effective. These chemicals may have other detrimental effects or the plants you worked so hard to grow may not recover from the initial problem. In some cases, you may be able to prevent a disease problem from spreading to nearby plants through proper diagnosis and treatment. In the clinic, we work with University of Missouri Division of Plant Sciences Extension Faculty from a variety of disciplines including Agronomy, Entomology, Horticulture, Plant Microbiology and Pathology to handle the wide variety of samples that are submitted and give you timely, accurate results. Management recommendations reflect research-based results and an integrated pest management philosophy.

What to send to find out what’s wrong
Unfortunately, there are times when the diagnostic process can be complicated by the multitude of factors that can lead to a decline in plant health. Because of this, the condition of the plant sample and the background information you submit to the diagnostic lab is very important. Whenever possible, include sample plants or plant parts showing a range of symptoms from mild to severe. Include a healthy example for comparison when possible. Include enough of the plant to indicate whether the symptoms are occurring on old or new growth. Symptoms observed on plant shoots or leaves often originate with damage to the lower stem or roots of the plant, so it’s best to send entire plants, including the roots when feasible. With larger specimens, collect a sample that includes the transition zone between healthy and affected plant tissues.

Packaging plant materials for shipping
Fresh samples should be wrapped in dry paper to absorb excess moisture and placed in a plastic bag. If roots are included, insert the root and soil ball in a plastic bag and tie around the stem to avoid soil contact with leaves while in transit. Then, wrap the entire sample in dry paper and place in a plastic bag. Paper towels work well. Do not add moisture to packing materials. Pack samples firmly in a sturdy shipping container that will prevent crushing in transit.

Forms
Forms can be found at the clinic Web site, http://soilplantlab.missouri.edu/plant/index.htm or should be available from your local county extension office. We have a form that’s specific for plant disease identification. Please make all possible efforts to fill out the form as completely as possible. Detailed information on the plant species, variety, plant age, location, planting site, symptoms, time frame for symptom development, problem distribution and severity, recent weather, and chemicals used is very helpful in diagnosis. If you are unable to obtain our form, please send the sample and relevant information to: Plant Diagnostic Lab, 23 Mumford Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211.

Mailing
You are welcome to bring samples to our lab if you are able to do so. We are located in the basement of Mumford Hall on the UMC campus. If you would like to mail samples to us, please do so early in the week. Always use at least first class mail. A next day service or delivery in person is the best way to assure that the sample arrives in good order. If you are unable to send samples right away, or need to wait until Monday, keep samples fresh and cool in the refrigerator. Never leave them in a vehicle on a hot day or in a bag in direct sunlight.

Other Information
In addition to plant problem diagnosis, we can also identify insects, spiders, mites, weeds and other plants, and provide management recommendations. There is a $15.00 fee for general diagnosis, which applies to most samples. Some samples require an additional $10.00 fee when additional testing such as pathogen isolation means extra time and lab supplies. You can also find additional information about the plant diagnostic clinic, specific plant diseases, sample submission, and our services and fees at our Web site. If you’ve got any questions, please call us at 573-882-3019. You can also e-mail us at plantclinic@missouri.edu.

Simeon Wright,
Plant Diagnostic Lab Coordinator