The accurate diagnosis of a plant problem is critical to knowing what strategies will be needed for current management and/or prevention of future problems. When diagnostic assistance is needed, Kentucky homeowners and commercial growers can submit plant samples to their local county Extension office, report Cheryl Kaiser, Plant Pathology Extension Support, and Julie Beale, Plant Disease Diagnostician.
Fresh samples representative of the problem will be needed in order to make the best possible diagnosis. Methods of sampling and sample preparation vary depending on the type of crop showing damage. Before gathering specimens for submission, growers should refer to the fact sheet, Submitting Plant Specimens for Disease Diagnosis, for specific instructions. In addition, this publication relays the types of information that will be needed to assist the diagnostic process.
Submitting Plant Specimens for Disease Diagnosis (PPFS-GEN-09) is available online at https://plantpathology.ca.uky.edu/files/ppfs-gen-09.pdf
For additional publications on plant diseases, visit the UK Plant Pathology Extension Publications webpage at https://plantpathology.ca.uky.edu/extension/publications.
Categories: Kentucky, Crops