EAB 1st Detectors

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A Consortium of Regional Networks

Sample Submission: Quality and SecuritySample Submission: Quality and Security

Last Updated 02/05

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Sample Quality

The accuracy of a disease diagnosis or insect ID can only be as good as the sample and information provided.

Sample must be representative of symptoms and severity in the field and must contain the right material.

Samples must be fresh and in good condition. Rapid delivery is critical.

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sionSample Submission

Forms and Information If available, include standard form for the state

diagnostic lab. Or furnish all relevant information, including:

your contact information location, name of grower/owner extent of damage, incidence and severity data Site conditions and history of sample Digital photos showing extent of infestation,

close ups of individual plants, etc. are very helpful.

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sionSample Submission

Forms and Information Place the properly prepared sample with

sample information in a sturdy box, then seal the box well.

More information means faster, better diagnosis

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Sample Collection: Diseases

Alfalfa: Phymatotrichum root rot-patches

Pepper: Phytophthora stem rot occurs along the row

Chemical injury? Nematodes? Root diseases?

Field patterns may point to or eliminate possible causes

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Sample Collection: Diseases

Incidence

Percent of the crop affected

Severity

Measure of how much an individual plant is affected

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Foliage diseases

Check for injuries, disease on the main stem/trunk

Submit entire plant or several plants, if practical, showing a range of symptoms

Diseases may show up on any part of the plant.

Sample Collection: Diseases

Samples must contain the right material

Keep most roots and soil intact if possible

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Sample Collection: Diseases Dead Plants Tell No Tales

Avoid dead plants

Choose plants which show a range of symptoms: moderate to severe

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Sample Submission: Diseases Packaging & Shipping

Strong crush-proof box All seams taped

Keep soil on roots Plastic bag on roots, closed around stem Do not add extra water Wrap in dry paper then bag in plastic Double bag specimens containing suspected

select or exotic pathogens and disinfest exterior of bags

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Sample Submission: Diseases Packaging Mistakes

Good Intentions,but ...

EAB 1st Detectors

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Sample Submission: Diseases Packaging Mistakes

Actual Results

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Sample Submission: Diseases Packaging Mistakes

Soil on foliage during shipping creates “diseases” that were not there when the sample was collected.

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Sample Submission: Diseases Packaging Mistakes

Don’t add water or wrap in wet paper towels

Sample

“soup”

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Sample Submission: Diseases Good Packaging

Dry paper to protect leaves from contact with plastic bag

Plastic bag to keep soil on roots

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Insects Feeding Damage

Piercing/Sucking Boring

Leafmining Skeletonizing

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Sample Submission: InsectsPackaging

Poor Packaging = Body Parts!Properly Packaged Mailing Tubes with PaddingProtect Samples!

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Sample Submission: Insects

Most insects can be preserved in a vial with 70% isopropyl

alcohol

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Sample Submission: Insects

Digital photos of the damage and of the insect assist with identification.

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Sample Submission: InsectsDO:

Be specific on collection information! Location on host plant?

Roots, Stems, Flowers, Buds, Leaves, etc. Where was the insect found?

Field Crops, Greenhouse, Residence, Landscape

Who collected the sample? His/Her contact info.

Degree of infestation

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Sample Submission: InsectDO:

Collect multiple samples of all life stages, if possible.

Collect intact specimens (not just body parts)

Collect portion of the infested plant and briefly describe the damage and the extent of damage exhibited.

Submit quality digital photos of damage if possible

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Sample Submission: InsectDO:

Preserve and ship appropriately for the type specimen

Include complete and accurate collection data

For suspected exotics, notify the specialists and ship in next day delivery

Double bag specimens containing suspected exotic species.

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Sample Submission: InsectsDon’t

Crush specimens in tissue or plastic wrap, or tape them to paper

Overcrowd them (dead or alive) Send them without complete and accurate

information

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Sample Submission: Weeds

Collect intact specimens.

Preserve and package sample properly.

Send suspected exotics in overnight mail.

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Include stems, roots if possible, whole leaves attached to the stem, and any flowers, fruits, or seeds.

Include all plant parts

Sample Submission: Weeds

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Sample Submission: Weeds

Example: Ligule differences

Collect multiple

specimens

Collect multiple samples of all plant parts, if possible. Not all plants may be at the same stage of growth or reproduction.

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Sample Submission: Weeds Packaging

Place sample between sheets of newsprint or paper towels and press between cardboard.

Place sample in a plastic bag, making sure that any seeds, etc, will not fall out during shipment.

Label outside of bag if suspect plant is a skin irritant such as poison ivy, etc.

Double bag suspected exotics.

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Submitting the Sample

Submit the suspect pest sample to the state diagnostic lab as soon after collection as possible.

Send early in the week or by overnight express if necessary.

For suspected exotic pests or select agents, call ahead and give expected time that delivery will arrive.

Avoid alarming behavior and respect confidentiality

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Credits

PHOTOS Eileen Buss, Lyle Buss: UF Mark Garland, Division of Plant Industry, Mark Garland

(FDACS-DPI) Ray Carruthers, Scott Bauer (USDA-ARS) Tom Creswell, David Stephan, NCSU Dr. Case Medlin Glenn Nice

CONTENT Tom Creswell: North Carolina State Univ. Carla Thomas: Univ. of California Richard Cullen, Lyle Buss, Amanda Hodges, Carrie Harmon:

Univ. of Florida

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Ray HammerschmidtNCPDN Regional Director Michigan State University hammers1@msu.edu

http://www.ncpdn.orghttp://www.ncpdn.org

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Disclaimer The material provided is intended to be used for

National Plant Diagnostic Network presentations. Photos are considered the property of individual

photographers and/or organizations. The material is designed to be strictly used for

educational, non-profit purposes only. Any other use is strictly prohibited.

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