Diagnostic assistance: Two significant plant diseases are of particular concern to us in Illinois this season. One is of course Soybean Rust but the second you may not be quite so familiar with is 'Sudden Oak Death". Both of these diseases pose significant threats to production agriculture and the ornamental industry. Soybean rust was reported in Illinois late last season but Sudden Oak death has not yet been found. In Illinois we are utilizing our University of Illinois Digital Distance Diagnostics Imaging (DDDI) system to aide in early detection of these serious plant pathogens. Early detection is critical for management of these diseases. Extension Units across the state are set to accept soybean rust, sudden oak death or for that matter any other pest samples for diagnosis.

Many of your pest problems can be effectively diagnosed using the University of Illinois Extension Digital Distance Diagnostics Imaging (DDDI) system. So how can you utilize this service? The process to submit a sample for DDDI diagnosis or identification is the same as submitting a sample to the U of I Plant Diagnostic Clinic. Bring a high quality representative sample of the plant or pest to your local Extension Unit office. County personnel will ask you to fill out a DDDI sample form and then they will use a digital camera to take high quality pictures of the plant or pest sample and submit it to the system. The information resides on a website that is exclusive to Extension diagnostic personnel for your privacy.

Who is this service most useful to? Just about anyone involved in plant production can benefit from the DDDI system. We have Extension Educators throughout the state and campus Specialists with expertise in Agronomy, Plant Pathology and Horticulture ready to diagnose and identify production and pest problems on commercial forage, field, vegetable, fruit and turf crops, and home horticulture plant problems. We also have 2 specific diagnostic groups to deal with sudden oak death and soybean rust samples respectively.

Take note, while the DDDI is a considerable leap in increasing the amount of information available to a diagnostician compared to a phone call, it is not appropriate for all samples. Some samples may still need to be sent on to the U of I Plant Clinic for definitive diagnosis.

Noxious weed Kudzu found in Champaign County: The invasive weed 'kudzu' has recently been identified in Champaign County. Kudzu is vine legume that covers the ground and climbs up anything it gets near. Kudzu is not new to Illinois; it has been in southern Illinois for many years. Interest in kudzu has been on the rise however because it is a host for soybean rust. Other area counties with reports include Clark, Cumberland, Macon, Peoria, Shelby and Tazewell counties. Weeds that are declared noxious weeds must be controlled by the land owner. Other noxious weeds in Illinois include common and giant ragweed, marijuana, musk thistle and Canada thistle, perennial sowthistle, Columbus grass and johnsongrass. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has an eradication program, and management information can be found at this link http://dnr.state.il.us/INPC/VMG/VMG%20Kudzu%20original%202002.pdf. Another good source of information online is from the Missouri department of conservation vegetative management guidelines which gives a good overview of control measures http://mdc.mo.gov/nathis/exotic/vegman/fifteen.htm.

For more information call Suzanne Bissonnette (217) 333-4901, Champaign Extension Center