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University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Plant Pathology

Plant & Pest Diagnostic Clinic

 

The Plant & Pest Diagnostic Clinic is operated by Cooperative Extension and offers skilled and objective diagnostic services by professionals from the Departments of Plant Pathology, Horticulture, Agronomy (Weed Science) and Entomology. In addition to accurate diagnosis of your pest problem, you will be provided with the most current information and recommendations!

 

 



  Capabilities Information Required
Plant Pathology Plant disease questions for horticulture and field crops can be answered. Diseases are caused by biotic agents such as fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes. They are also caused by factors such as nurtrient deficiencies, water, or temperature stress or a combination of these.

Provide complete information such as:

  • host plant (including cultivar)
  • a description of symptoms
  • history of symptom development
  • age of the plant
  • what parts are affected
  • the distribution of the problem
  • where the plant is located.
Horticulture
Questions relating to the culture and identification of vegetables, fruits, houseplants, flowers, trees, vines and shrubs will be addressed by specialists.

Provide as much complete information as possible, such as:

  • flower and seed color
  • bloom time
  • plant height
  • whether the plant is an annual or perennial
  • where it is located (yard, garden, greenhouse, etc.)
Weed Science
Specialists provide dependable diagnostic information involving weed identification or herbicide injury. Chemical and cultural control practices accompany weed identifications. In addition, information can be provided on herbicide use and symptoms of herbicide injury.

Provide as much background information as possible, including:

  • the date collected
  • descriptions of the problem
  • location
  • environmental conditions
  • cultural practices
  • crop history
Entomology
Specialists provide identification and information on insects, mites, spiders and other related arthropods. Samples may be submitted from a variety of indoor and outdoor sources, including field and horticultural crops, ornamentals, structural and aquatic environments, as well as humans, livestock and pets.

Provide information including:

  • the level of infestation
  • what host plants or materials are infested
  • a history of the setting from which the sample was removed

 

What is a Sample?

A sample should consist of enough representative material (plant or insect), usually from the same source, so that an accurate diagnosis can be made. Samples from separate sources representative of different problems or pests constitute several samples.

Sample Preparation
Plant Samples
 		Insect Samples
  • Plants should be wrapped in a dry paper towel and placed inside a plastic bag before wrapping and mailing.
  • Plants submitted for horticultural and weed identification should include flowers and/or fruit, leaves and roots.
  • When submitting specimens for diagnosis of disease, insect or herbicide injury, include several plants showing a range of symptoms from healthy to unhealthy.
  • Soft-bodied specimens: Examples are insect larvae, aphids, mites and spiders. Place in a tight-sealing bottle with a liquid preservative such as alcohol or vinegar.
  • Hard-bodied specimens: Examples are beetles, bugs, moths, ants and files. Wrap in loose tissue and place in a crush-proof container.
  • Living specimens: Whether soft or hard-bodied, place with the host plant or damaged material along with some loose tissue into a ventilated container.

 

Mailing your sample

  • Follow instructions on the back of the Specimen ID Form.
  • Your sample should be placed in a crush-proof box or padded envelope.
  • Include your Specimen ID Form and sample fee.
  • Important! If your sample is subject to deterioration, do not mail it any later than Thursday morning.

Send all samples to the address below:
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic
448 Plant Sciences
P.O. Box 830722
Lincoln, NE 68583-0722

Specimen ID Forms

Each specimen submitted must be accompanied by a Specimen Identification Form. Forms may be obtained at your local Extension office or at any of the four District Research and Extension Centers .

Sample Fees
Standard Test ($10.00)
  • Standard diagnosis involves examination with the aid of a microscope or other basic diagnostic tools.
  • Our diagnosticians will provide as accurate an identification as possible, using available resources.
  • We also will provide additional information and recommendations, as appropriate.
  • Every attempt will be made to return the completed Specimen Identification Form within 5 working days.

Specialized Tests

(Fees for these tests are assessed in addition to the standard fee.)

One or more of a variety of specialized tests may be required for an accurate diagnosis of a plant or pest problem. If the client has not specified the test in advance, they will be consulted before any advanced testing is performed.

Tests include:

  • Culture for Pathogen Identification (fungal and bacterial pathogens)- $10.00
  • SCN (Soybean cyst Nematode) Assay- $10.00
  • Plant Parasitic Nematode Assay (Nematodes other than SCN)- $15.00
  • Goss's Culture (corn)- $10.00
  • Stewart's Elisa (corn)- $15.00
  • Misc. Elisa Test (Specialized fungal and bacterial tests)- $15.00
  • Bacterial ID- Biolog System- $20.00
  • Virus Screen- Protein- $15.00
  • Rare Species ID- $10.00
  • Insect Culture- $10.00

 


Each sample should include the appropriate fee (Check or money order) made out to UNL P&PDC. The amount depends on the level of diagnosis desired as indicated in the above table.