Plant Pathology Infobytes

May 12, 1998
When the Growing Gets Tough, Who Do You Call?

Although gardeners have had favorable conditions in recent weeks, diseases are beginning to show up in home gardens. Root rots and blights have made it difficult to start that "extra early" crop of green beans and leaf spots are making their appearance on young tomatoes. As a general rule, gardeners are able to identify their plant disease and other pest problems, but sometimes an accurate problem identification can be tough.

Vegetable gardening, fruit production, and keeping up a healthy landscape is a lot more rewarding when plant health problems can be minimized. So, if "sick" plants are detected, fast action is needed. It's a good idea to determine the cause of the problem as soon as possible, since timely problem identification allows an early start and improved chances for effective treatment.

If you're not sure where to turn for help in identifying the reason for plant health decline, the best place to start is your County Extension Office. We'll advise you on how to properly collect a specimen to bring in for disease diagnosis. And, there's no charge for the service!

If we can't determine the problem at the County Extension Office, the specimen will be referred to our plant pathology laboratory at Mississippi State University. This laboratory was established for the purpose of helping anyone who needs assistance in plant disease identification.

Clientele groups served by the laboratory include homeowners who need to have vegetable, orchard, landscape plant, and turf problems identified. Additionally, commercial horticultural crop producers, farmers, agricultural consultants, landscape maintenance companies, as well as regulatory and governmental agencies send plant specimens in for disease identification.

In an average year, the plant pathology laboratory receives over 1,000 plant disease specimens. The lab is well equipped to handle most disease problems. Microscopic assays and tissue isolation are routinely used to identify the specific type of disease causing organisms which may be involved. If the problem isn't a disease, and appears to be insect or fertility related, the specimen is routed to the appropriate laboratory or Extension specialists who will be able to handle the problem.

Following laboratory testing of specimens, a diagnostic report is sent back to the County Extension Office, and in turn, the client is notified. The report identifies the disease and lists control strategies to minimize further plant loss. There is no charge for the plant disease diagnostic services offered by the plant pathology laboratory.

Accurate diagnosis of a specific plant disease depends on several factors. The specimen must arrive at the laboratory in fresh condition, but just as important, it must also be representative of the symptoms expressed in the garden, orchard, or landscape. Also, a complete description of the area, its history of cultural or chemical control practices, and other pertinent facts will need to be provided in order for the laboratory to provide an accurate identification of the problem. This information should be supplied on Plant Disease Diagnosis and Insect Identification Form 205. Copies of this form are available through the County Extension Office.


Written by the late Dr. Frank Killebrew

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