Appendices:
Appendix I. Diagnostic Services
| Author: | OMAFRA Staff
| | Creation Date: | 20
May 2009 | | Last Reviewed: |
20 May 2009 |
| Corn
| Soybeans | Forages
| Cereals | Dry
Edible Beans | | Spring and
Winter Canola | Other Crops |
Soil Management | | Soil
Fertility and Nutrient Use | Field
Scouting | | On-Farm Stored
Grain Management | Weed Control
| | Insects and Pests of Field
Crops | Diseases of Field Crops
| Appendices | Pub
811: Agronomy Guide > Appendices
> Appendix I. Diagnostic Services Excerpt from Agronomy
Guide for Field Crops Order
OMAFRA Publication 811: Agronomy Guide for Field Crops Samples
for disease diagnosis, insect or weed identification, nematode counts and verticillium
testing can be sent to: Pest Diagnostic Clinic Laboratory Services Division
University of Guelph 95 Stone Rd. W. Guelph, ON N1H 8J7 Tel: 519-767-6256
Fax: 519-767-6240 E-mail: pdc@lsd.uoguelph.ca Payment
must accompany samples at the time of submission. Submission forms are available
at http://www.labservices.uoguelph.ca/units/pdc/.
Fee Schedule How to Sample for Nematodes
Sample Handling Submitting Plant
for Disease Diagnosis or Identification Submitting Insect
Speciments for Identification Sample Submission Form Fee
ScheduleTo obtain information on the fee schedule, refer to http://www.labservices.uoguelph.ca/units/pdc/or
phone the Pest Diagnostic Clinic.How to Sample
for NematodesSoil When to sampleSoil and root samples
can be taken at any time of the year that the soil is not frozen. In Ontario,
nematode soil population levels are generally at their highest in May and June
and again in September and October. How to sample soilUse a soil
sampling tube, trowel or narrow-bladed shovel to take samples. Sample soil to
a depth of 20-25 cm (8-10 in.). If the soil is bare, remove the top 2 cm (1 in.)
prior to sampling. A sample should consist of 10 or more subsamples combined.
Mix well. Then take a sample of 0.5-1 L (1 pint-1 quart) from this. No one sample
should represent more than 2.5 ha (6.25 acre). Mix subsamples in a clean pail
or plastic bag. Sampling patternIf living crop plants are present
in the sample area, take samples within the row and from the area of the feeder
root zone (with trees, this is the drip line). Number of subsamplesBased
on the total area sampled: 500 m2 (5,400 ft2) 10 subsamples 500 m2-0.5
ha (5,400 ft2-1.25 acre) 25 subsamples 0.5 ha-2.5 ha (1.25-6.25 acre) 50 subsamples RootsFrom
small plants, sample the entire root system plus adhering soil. For large plants,
10-20 g (1?2-1 oz.), dig fresh weight from the feeder root zone and submit. Problem
areasTake soil and root samples from the margins of the problem area where
the plants are still living. If possible, also take samples from healthy areas
in the same field. If possible, take both soil and root samples from problem and
healthy areas in the same field. Sample Handling
Soil samplesPlace in plastic bags as soon as possible after collecting. Root
samplesPlace in plastic bags and cover with moist soil from the sample
area. Storage Store samples at 5°C-10°C (40°C-50°F)
and do not expose them to direct sunlight or extreme heat or cold (freezing).
Only living nematodes can be counted. Accurate counts depend on proper handling
of samples. Submitting Plant for Disease
Diagnosis or IdentificationSample submission formsForms can be
obtained from your local Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
office. Carefully fill in all of the categories on the form. In the space provided,
draw the most obvious symptom and the pattern of the disease in the field. It
is important to include the cropping history of the area for the past three years
and this year's pesticide use records. Choose a complete, representative
sample showing early symptoms. Submit as much of the plant as is practical, including
the root system or several plants showing a range of symptoms. If symptoms are
general, collect the sample from an area where they are of intermediate severity.
Completely dead material is usually inadequate for diagnosis. With plant
specimens submitted for identification, include at least a 20-25 cm sample of
the top portion of the stem with lateral buds, leaves, flowers or fruits in identifiable
condition. Wrap plants in newspaper and put in a plastic bag. Tie the root system
off in a separate plastic bag to avoid drying out and contamination of the leaves
by soil. Do not add moisture, as this encourages decay in transit. Cushion specimens
and pack in a sturdy box to avoid damage during shipping. Avoid leaving specimens
to bake or freeze in a vehicle or in a location where they could deteriorate. DeliveryDeliver
to the Pest Diagnostic Clinic as soon as possible by first class mail or by courier
at the beginning of the week. Submitting
Insect Speciments for Identification
Collecting samplesPlace dead,
hard-bodied insects in vials or boxes and cushion with tissues or cotton. Place
soft-bodied insects and caterpillars in vials containing alcohol. Do not use water,
as this results in rot. Do not tape insects to paper or send them loose in an
envelope. Place live insects in a container with enough plant "food"
to support them during transit. Be sure to write "live" on the outside
of the container. Sample Submission Form(Form
available in adobe format 1.00 mb)
For more information:
Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300
Local: (519) 826-4047
E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca
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