Another growing season is here and it will soon be time to diagnose plant problems. Rapid diagnosis of pests and plant disorders enables producers of agricultural and horticultural crops to make timely decisions. University of Illinois Extension can help identify plant problems and offer recommendations.

One type of help is only a mouse click away using the Distance Diagnostics through Digital Imaging (DDDI) system available at local Extension offices.

Offices are equipped with a digital camera that is attached to a microscope. Digital images of the plant or pest are transmitted via computer and the Internet to Extension diagnosticians who can assess the problem and recommend a course of action. When the diagnosis is made, an email message is sent to the originator with the diagnosis, recommended treatment, and information on how to contact the diagnosticians if necessary.

Since the DDDI system began in 1999, nearly 8000 plant and pest samples have been processed. Last year, over 25% of the samples were diagnosed within 1 hour and the median response time was 9 hours.

Another way to have University of Illinois Extension identify plant problems is by sending a sample to the Plant Clinic. Located on the campus at Urbana-Champaign, it opened for the 34^th year on May 1.

The University of Illinois Plant Clinic is meant to supplement field diagnosis and can identify pests, perform disease cultures, conduct nematode assay, and more. For details about laboratory services, sample submissions, fees and to obtain specimen forms (used when sending samples) visit the web site http://plantclinic.cropsci.illinois.edu/index.html or call 217-333-0519.

Both the DDDI system and the Plant Clinic are ready to screen and diagnose samples for soybean rust.

Accurate identification of pests and other causal factors is the first step in the correct diagnosis and management of plant problems. University of Illinois Extension can help in this identification effort.