Extension Diagnostic Services What can the Gainesville campus diagnostic labs do for a master gardener volunteer client? Anthony Camerino Citrus County.

Extension Diagnostic ServicesExtension Diagnostic Services

What can the Gainesville campus diagnostic labs do for a master gardener

volunteer client?

Anthony Camerino

Citrus County Extension

Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator

How do How do youyou send a sample to Gainesville send a sample to Gainesville and then comprehend the results?and then comprehend the results?

1. “Diagnostic labs in Gainesville?? What labs!?!?”

2. “Maybe if I put enough stuff in this box, put a stamp on it, and send to Gainesville someone will tell me what’s wrong with my plant??”

Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Clinic/Phone Room

3. “ I can’t diagnosis your problem here, but I can get your sample to the right lab for an accurate and timely diagnosis.”

Extension Soil Testing Lab

Plant Disease Clinic & Nematode Assay LabInsect Identification Lab

Plant Identification

Purpose of Extension Diagnostic Purpose of Extension Diagnostic ServicesServices

• Provide education to the public concerning respective disciplines

• Not-for-profit• Only samples collected in Florida• The quality and accuracy of results are

directly related to how the samples are collected, handled, and shipped

Extension Soil Testing Lab (ESTL)Extension Soil Testing Lab (ESTL)• Not just pH and homeowner nutrient

analysis services• Many services provided:

• Homeowner:• Landscape and home vegetable gardens

• Irrigation water testing

• Commercial growers:• Plant tissue testing of specific crops

• Container media testing

• Producer soil testing

• Pine seedling nursery

• Interpretation of data• Nutrient recommendations and guidelines as

appropriate

Soil Nutrient AnalysisSoil Nutrient Analysis• Cost

• pH $3.00• Indication of general soil nutrient

availability• Lime recommendation when

appropriate for soil buffering capacity

• Macro nutrients $7.00• P, K, Ca, Mg

• Does not test for pathogens, insects, nematodes, or soil N

• Does not make interpretation for soil extractable Ca and Fe

• Does not estimate pollution risk

A soil nutrient analysis is a A soil nutrient analysis is a predictivepredictive estimation estimation of plant growth response to an applied nutrient #1of plant growth response to an applied nutrient #1

• Nutrient and lime recommendations are based on plant growth responses which have been correlated with the levels of nutrient extracted in a soil test

• The soil is not inert, it continuously absorbs and releases nutrients• The recommendation takes into

account these nutrients

A soil nutrient analysis is a A soil nutrient analysis is a predictivepredictive estimation of estimation of plant growth response to an applied nutrient #2plant growth response to an applied nutrient #2

• Probability of a response to a fertilizer application if the nutrient level is:• Low - 75%• Medium – 50%• High - unlikely

Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Clinic Soil pH #1Clinic Soil pH #1

• Test results can do the following• Assist in plant selection (e.g. “acid loving

plants”)• Tells you if you may need to modify soil pH

• The analysis does not tell you how much to lime

• Indication of general soil fertility

Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Clinic

Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Clinic Soil pH #2Clinic Soil pH #2

• Does not predict liming requirement• Does not account for soil buffering capacity

• If a specific lime recommendation is needed you must send the sample to the Extension Soil Testing Lab in Gainesville

Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Clinic

Irrigation water analysisIrrigation water analysis• Tests for

• Liming potential• Salinity• Suspended solids

• Cost $9.00 to $10.00

• Tests water for irrigation quality, not a test for safety of consumption

• Sample should be taken “mid-stream”• Run water for several minutes

before collecting• Collect nearest to irrigation

outlet

Insect Identification Services #1Insect Identification Services #1• Gives written report of insect

diagnosis, you must decide if the insect is the cause of the problem

• Cost $8.00• Follow detailed packing

directions• Depends on type of insect

• Fill out form in pencil or ink that will not run if wetted.

• Take special note of where the insect was found and what was infested

• The more specimens the merrier!!

A sample packaged properlyA sample packaged properly

Bad sample preparationBad sample preparation

Ants on scotch tape

Spider in plastic bag

Insect Identification Services #2Insect Identification Services #2

Plant Identification #1Plant Identification #1• A partnership between UF-IFAS

and the Florida Museum of Natural History’s herbarium

• Cost $0.00• Press plant between newspaper

and cardboard• Not in plastic bag

• If the plant can not be identified by available references at the county office, then contact your county agent to submit sample.

Plant Identification #2Plant Identification #2

Extension Plant Disease ClinicExtension Plant Disease Clinic• Diagnosis of pathogen isolated from

the submitted sample• Use Plant Disease Diagnostic Form• Cost

• Regular sample $20.00• Lethal Yellowing $75.00, Fusarium Wilt

$55.00• Sample should include:

• Plant tissue reflective of the problem• Roots, shoots, or leaves

• Transition zone between healthy and diseased plant tissue

• Provide as much information as possible• Plant species and cultivar submitted• Pesticides or fertilizers applied recently

Extension Plant Disease ClinicExtension Plant Disease ClinicAdditional NotesAdditional Notes

• Only send root samples in plastic bag• remove excess soil but leave enough to prevent

desiccation• Do not send leaves in plastic bag• The accuracy of clinic results may be affected by

recently applied pesticides. • When possible, sample before treatment

• New rapid turf diagnostic service for commercial turf managers (e.g. golf courses, athletic fields, etc.)• See your county agent if you have such a request• $75.00

A sample packaged properlyA sample packaged properly

• Roots in plastic bag, entire sample wrapped in dry paper towel

Bad sample preparationBad sample preparation

Crushed sample packed in a wet paper towel

Extension Plant Disease ClinicExtension Plant Disease Clinic

Nematode Assay LabNematode Assay Lab• Cost $20.00• Estimation of the RISK to a specific

crop or plant based on the number and type of nematodes present in the soil sample

• Sample soil from symptomatic area• If tree or shrub sample near drip line• Roots are important too• Use sample submission kit!!!• Place sample in plastic bag, then box

• If foliar nematodes are suspected, send sample folded into a slightly damped paper towel in a plastic bag

Where to sample turfWhere to sample turf

Nematode Assay Lab #1Nematode Assay Lab #1

• Bag should be filled with enough soil to about fill the box

• Place roots in plastic bag with soil to keep moist

Nematode Assay Lab #2Nematode Assay Lab #2

Don’t use soil nutrient analysis bag to package nematode samples!!!

What’s the difference between these What’s the difference between these two panelstwo panels

A lot can happen between here

and here !!

Good sample collection, packaging and handling is important because:

Questions?Questions?