Plant & Pest Diagnostic Clinic

The Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic provides plant diagnostic support for Nebraska citizens and to the county and area extension personnel.

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

Plant Pathology - services are provided for any type of plant, including field crops, turfgrass, fruits, ornamentals, trees, vegetables and others.  Diseases are caused by biotic or living agents such as bacteria, fungi, nematodes and viruses.  Diseases are also caused by abiotic, or non-living factors such as nutrient deficiencies, temperature stress, water stress or a combination of several of these factors.  Diagnosis takes into account biotic and abiotic causes and information regarding managment of the problem is provided.

Entomology - provide identification and information on insects, mites, spriders and other related arthropods.  Samples may be submitted froma  variety of indoor and outdoor sources, including field and horticulture crops, ornamentals, structural and aquatic environments, as well as human, livestock and pets.

Weed Science - provides dependable diagnostic information involving weed identification or herbicide injury.  Herbicide injury is determined soley on a visual inspection of the plant sample provided and no chemical analysis performed.  Chemical and cultural control practices accompany weed identification.  In addition, information can be provided on herbicide use and symptoms of herbicide injury.

Horticulture - provides answers relating to the culture and identification of vegetables, fruits, housplants, flowers, trees, vines and shrubs.

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.

General Tips

• Provide plenty of plant material.  When possible send the entire plant, including roots and top growth.
• Provide freshly collected specimens.
• Be sure the speciments represents the problem.
• Include enough plant material to show all stages of the disease from healthy to very sick.  Wrap plant specimens in paper towels or clean newspaper.
• DO NOT add moisture.  Pack loosely in a plastic bag to reduce drying. Mail in a sturdy container

 For more information regardin insect submission or specific plant submission, please refer to the below links:

• Insects
• Plant Identification
• Chemical Injury
• Corn Nematode Soil Samples
• Field Crops
• Herbaceous Plants
• Turf
• Woody Plants

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 Wednesday afternoon.

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

Download a Specimen Identification Form to be included with your sample submission.

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.