Volume
3 Issue 2
May 23, 2006
University of Minnesota
Plant Disease Clinic
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/cropsystems/DC3170.html
The University of
Minnesota's Plant Disease Clinic
provides prompt, accurate information on plant
diseases for commercial growers in Minnesota.
Services Offered
Routine Diagnosis -
$20-25: We provide routine diagnosis of samples that
require traditional methods of symptom analysis,
culturing, or microscopic examination. These include leaf
spot and root rot diseases of field crops, trees, or
greenhouse crops and diagnosis of oak wilt and Dutch elm
disease. Fees may vary if additional specialized media is
required.
Nematode Analysis -
$20: Identification and count of plant parasitic nematodes
for all commercial crops Note: Samples specifically for
soybean cyst nematode (SCN) should be sent directly to the
Nematology Laboratory, Southern Research Experiment
Station, 35838 120th St. , Waseca , MN 56093.
Virus Analysis -
$25.00 minimum: ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)
testing is available for Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV),
Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV), and Tobacco mosaic
virus (TMV), common greenhouse virus diseases. Other
biological or serological virus tests are available. Fees
vary depending on the tests performed.
Aphanomyces sp. Testing
- $100: This is a biological assay on sugarbeet soil for
the presence of Aphanomyces sp. Soil samples should be
collected after harvest and will be processed in the
greenhouse during the winter months. Contact the Plant
Disease Clinic for specific information.
Rhizomania Testing
- $50: A 9-10 week bioassay performed on sugarbeet soil
for the presence of beet necrotic yellow vein virus (Rhizomania).
Samples are processed during the winter months.
How To Submit Samples for Disease Diagnosis
-
Collect living plants
that exhibit varying stages of decline. Do NOT submit
dead plants.
-
For herbaceous plants,
collect the entire plant, including as much of the
root system as possible. Dig out (don't pull) several
symptomatic plants and shake excess soil from roots.
Bundle plants together and wrap roots only in a
plastic bag, allowing stems and leaves to hang out of
the bag. Wrap the entire bundle of plants in newspaper
and place it in a cardboard box.
-
For tree wilts, collect
branches 1/2 -inch to 1-inch in diameter from branches
which are actively wilting, but not totally dead. Wrap
in plastic to retain moisture, and keep cool until
delivery to the lab.
-
For virus testing,
collect symptomatic leaves, stems, or entire plants.
Wrap in plastic. It is very important that these
samples do not dry out during shipment. Do not add
extra water to the bags.
-
For nematode analysis,
ship soil in plastic bags and keep refrigerated until
shipped. It is important that nematode samples are not
exposed to high temperatures. Specific guidelines for
sample collection are available upon request.
-
Submit a completed
Information Request Form with each sample.
-
Ship samples immediately
after collection.
-
Ship samples by
overnight delivery or mail early in the week to insure
fast delivery. Plant samples often decompose if left
in the post office over the weekend.
-
Please submit payment
with each sample. Make checks payable to the
University of Minnesota.
Plant Disease Clinic Information Request Form:
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/cropsystems/components/clinic.pd f
Shipping Address:
Plant Disease Clinic
495 Borlaug Hall
1991 Upper Buford Circle
University of Minnesota
St. Paul, MN 55108-6030
(612) 625-1275 - Phone
(612) 625-9728 - Fax
In-person, delivery address (closed on Mondays;
8-4:30pm, T-F):
105 Stakman Hall
1519 Gortner Ave.
University of Minnesota , St. Paul campus
Amy Holm
holmx157@umn.edu
Plant Pathology Extension
University of Minnesota
St. Paul, Minn.
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