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Contributors: K.R. Barker, Plant Pathologist; D.M. Benson, Research Plant Pathologist; R.K. Jones, Extension Plant Pathologist

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Preparing Specimens for Diagnosis

1. Collect and mail specimens early in the week to avoid weekend delays. If the specimen cannot be mailed the same day it is collected, it should be kept cold until shipment. Dead plants or material that is dry or decomposed on arrival cannot be diagnosed. Specimens should be placed in plastic bags at the time of collection, not hours or days later (specific instructions for exceptions for various crops are available).

   No water should be left on plant surfaces, as this causes decomposition in transit. Small plastic bags should not be over-stuffed with plant material. Bags that are large enough to easily accommodate the amount of material to be sent should be used; otherwise, plant tissues will cook from their own heat and lack of air.

2. Specimens submitted from counties under State and Federal regulations for witchweed control, must contain no loose soil in the package. All soil must be sealed in plastic bags.

Damage on Stem, Branch, Trunk, Leaves, Tubers, or Fruit of any Sizable Plant (Localized Rot, Decay, Discoloration, Canker, Swelling, Leafspot, etc.)
Vascular Diseases of Trees (Dutch Elm Disease, Oak Wilt, Verticillium Wilt of Maple, Fusarium Wilt of Mimosa, etc.)
Young, Actively Growing Non-woody Plants (Floral Crops, Bedding Plants, Vegetable Crops, Large Ground Covers, Bulb, Corm or Rhizome Types, etc.)
Mature or Nearly Mature Annuals (Bedding Plants, etc.)
Grasses, Ground Covers, Forage Crops, and Small Grains
Houseplants, Office, or Mall Plants, Shop Plants, or Any Potted Plant Not Currently in a Greenhouse or Nursery
Container-Grown Floriculture Plants and Nursery Stock (Does not apply to seedlings: see specific instructions for seedlings).
Seedlings and Rooted Cuttings (Seedlings from plant bed, greenhouse, field crops, bedding plants, vegetables, Christmas trees, and rooted cuttings of woody ornamentals, floral crops, etc.)
Woody Plants with Symptoms of Decline or Low Vigor (Applies to azalea, boxwood, holly, camellia, rhododendron, blueberry, trees of all types, miscellaneous landscape shrubs, vines, etc.)
Mushrooms

For evaluation of soil-related problems, samples should be sent to the appropriate North Carolina Department of Agriculture laboratory:

Nematode Assay: Nematode Advisory Section, Agronomic Division
N. C. Dept. of Agriculture, 4300 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh, NC 27607-6465

Soil Test for Nutritional Levels: Soil Testing Section, Agronomic Division
N. C. Dept. of Agriculture, 4300 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh, NC 27607-6465

Plant (foliar tissue) Analysis for Nutritional Levels: Plant Analysis Section, Agronomic Division
N. C. Dept. of Agriculture, 4300 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh, NC 27607-6465

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