samples

Plant Diagnostic Sample Submission App

New to Ohio State University’s C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic is an app for iPhone or iPad which will allow Clinic clientele to submit images of their plant or insect problem either as stand-alone samples or to supplement a physical sample being sent to the Clinic.

OSU’s Clinic joined with 7 university-based plant diagnostic laboratories in the development of the app which is available for free from the i-Tunes Store and can be found here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sample-submission/id669269520?mt=8 or by scanning the QR code. Anyone may download and use the app which will guide the users with questions customized for various situations including greenhouse and nursery production. The Clinic will charge its  basic exam fee for digital samples submitted through the app (http://ppdc.osu.edu/fees)

While pictures are worth a thousand words they do not always tell the whole story. Some plant disease or insect samples will still require microscopic examination or other types of specialized tests to confirm the diagnosis. If a physical sample is required as a follow-up to a digital sample the Clinic’s basic exam fee will not be charged for that physical sample.

Universities/labs partnering in the development of the Plant Diagnostic Sample Submission app are:
• Alabama Cooperative Extension System
• University of Connecticut Plant Diagnostic Laboratory
• University of Illinois Extension
• University of Kentucky Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (County ANR/HORT Agents only)
• Michigan State University Diagnostic Services Laboratory
• University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab (UNHCE Field & State Specialists only)
• Ohio State University C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic
• Purdue University Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory

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Sending Plant Samples for Diagnosis

Issues are always cropping up with our greenhouse crops – whether they be nutritional, disease, insect or cultural in nature!   In order to make informed decisions on how to manage and treat the issues at hand, proper diagnosis is essential.  Growers in Ohio can send plant and insect samples directly to the OSU C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic.  The clinic website has detailed information on the best ways to prepare and send your samples to ensure they arrive in good condition for examination and possible testing.

General recommendations for greenhouse samples from the clinic include:

  • Samples should be fresh.
  • Samples should represent the early to middle stages of the problem.  A  completely dead and decaying sample cannot be reliably diagnosed.
  • Samples should be carefully packaged and shipped early in the week to avoid  weekend layovers during which the sample will deteriorate.
  • Be sure to include sample documentation and background information.  The  specimen form can be downloaded on the website.
  • Pictures of the problem in the field are always helpful.  The environmental  conditions of the plant can play an important role in the  diagnosis.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact the clinic at :

Phone: 614-292-5006
Fax: 614-466-9754
email: ppdc@cfaes.osu.edu
web site: http://ppdc.osu.edu