Making the Most of Plant and Insect Diagnostics Pat Beauzay, Extension Entomology Research Specialist Kasia Kinzer, Plant Diagnostician
Jul 21, 2015
Making the Most of Plant and
Insect Diagnostics
Pat Beauzay, Extension Entomology Research
Specialist
Kasia Kinzer, Plant Diagnostician
Services Offered by the NDSU
Plant Diagnostic Lab
• Plant problem diagnosis (pathogen, pest, abiotic)
• Weed ID, Insect ID (with Extension Entomology)
• Home Mold/Fungus ID
• Seed Health Testing (fee waivers do not apply)
• Phytosanitary Testing (fee waivers do not apply)
• Methods: visual, microscopy, incubation, culturing,
ELISA, immunostrip, DNA-based testing, bioassay,
nematode extraction
Plant Diagnostic Lab Information
Request Form
• NDSU Plant Diagnostic Lab forms available
on-line:
• http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pdl
• Please fill the form out as completely as
possible
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What makes a good sample?
• Quality background information is provided
• Sample is fresh
• Sample is representative
Obtain A Good Sample
Examples of Good samples:
– Good Quality – with as much background information as possible; more information = better quality
– Kept Fresh and cool until brought/mailed in
– Representative – shows a range of symptoms of concern
• Includes healthy tissue whenever possible
• Includes entire plant whenever possible
• Includes an idea of what is ‘normal’
Obtain A Good Sample
Quality Background Information
• What is the host?
• What is the concern?
• When and how was it planted?
• Pattern of symptoms within plant?
• Field distribution or pattern within the planting:
• When were symptoms first noticed?
• Soil type, cultural practices, chemical history, crop history, environmental conditions, et cetera
• The more completely the form is filled out, the better
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Fresh Samples
• Collect whole plants whenever possible
• Keep them cool until ready to ship
– Save them in the fridge like you would a head
of lettuce – wrapped in a dry paper towel,
then placed inside a plastic bag
• Don’t include only dead plants
Representative Samples• Choose plants that show a range of
symptoms
Dead Plants Tell no Tales
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Avoid sending completely
dead plants
Choose plants which show
a range of symptoms
Preparing samples for
shipping
Sending bigger samples
Keep soil away from foliage
Packaging and Shipping blunders
Don’t add water to foliage or wrap in wet paper towels
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“Sample Soup”
Packaging & Shipping
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Good Intentions
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Actual Results
What about High Risk Pests??
Sample Security – important for high
risk pests
• Communication – early contact with diagnostic labs and
regulatory officials to let us know a pest or disease problem
suspected to be high risk is on its way
• Confidentiality – don’t alert media unless confirmed and given
the okay from regulatory officials
• Accuracy – make sure source information is correct
• Chain of custody – keep track of when/how/to whom
sample was sent
• Delivery details – Let Plant Diagnostic Lab know where
sample is coming from, how it is being sent, and expected
arrival time
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Secure sample submission
• Avoid contaminating outside of bags
• Double bag in re-sealable bags and seal,
then place in a sturdy box
• Seal all seams of box with shipping tape
• Ship via overnight mail or drive to state
diagnostic lab to deliver personally
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Send Suspected High Risk
Samples to:
USPSNDSU Plant Diagnostic LabNDSU Dept 7660PO Box 6050Fargo ND 58108-6050
Ground/Private ShipperNDSU Plant Diagnostic Lab306 Walster HallFargo, ND 58102
Tel: 701.231.7854
Email: [email protected]
Resources
• NDSU Plant Diagnostic Lab– http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pdl
• NDSU Extension Departments – http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/extplantpath/
– http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/extensionentomology/
– http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/plantsciences/extension
– http://www.ndsu.edu/soils/
– http://www.ndsu.edu/snrs/extension/
• North Dakota Department of Agriculture– http://www.nd.gov/ndda/
• NPDN First Detector Training, online modules:– https://firstdetector.org
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If we have time…
Weed Samples
• Collect intact specimens
• Preserve and package sample
properly
• Provide information on where sample
was found
• Send suspected exotics in overnight
mail32
Weed Samples
Send all plant parts• Stems
• Roots if possible
• Whole leaves attached to stem
• Any flowers, fruits, or seeds
• Different growth stages
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Weed Samples
To preserve plant samples, press and
dry in newspaper
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Soil Samples (Nematodes)
1. Use a soil probe to collect samples (6 to 8
inches in depth).
2. Using a zigzag pattern, collect 10 to 20
soil cores per every 10 to 20 acres.
3. Collect cores from areas of similar soil
type and crop history, and near or within
rows, if visible.
35*from the SCN Coalition
Soil Samples (Nematodes)
4. Dump cores from each 10- to 20-acre set
into a bucket or tub and mix thoroughly.
5. Place 1 pint (2 cups, about 500 cc) of
mixed soil in a soil sampling bag or plastic
zippered bag and label with a permanent
marker.
6. Store sample in a cool, dark place until
shipped to the lab.
36*from the SCN Coalition
For Any Sample:
• Clear, close-up digital photos can be
helpful
• There’s no such thing as too much
information – the more information, the
better quality the sample
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