Plant Clinic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 3, 2008

Need to have a plant problem diagnosed? The University of Illinois Plant Clinic at Urbana is open for the 33^rd year to diagnose field crop and horticultural plant problems.

The Plant Clinic, open through September 15, specializes in identifying disease problems, nematodes, insects and insect injury, and weeds. Chemical residue testing is not available.

The lab can culture plant parts to test for fungal and bacterial pathogens. Depending upon the organism, this may take anywhere from 24 hours to 10 days. The Plant Clinic offers nematode assays on roots and soil.

Insect and weed identification is a fairly quick process so the turnaround time is normally short. Herbicide injury diagnoses are based on samples, symptoms, and the facts presented. The Plant Clinic is not equipped to assay soil or plants for chemical residues.

The Plant Clinic web site, http://plantclinic.cropsci.uiuc.edu/, provides information on how to submit a sample, sample fees, specimen data forms (to accompany samples), clinic services, and links to other sites. Responses and how to manage the problem will be returned to clients by US mail and electronically. General diagnosis is

$12.50 per sample. Specialty tests require more time and equipment, and thus the charge is higher. Payment must accompany the sample.

The clinic can also diagnose and monitor sudden oak death, soybean rust, legume viruses, Emerald ash borer, giant hogweed, and other plant pathogens and pests that might be exotic invasive concerns in Illinois. The Plant Clinic processed 2,318 samples in 2007. Field crops comprised 78 percent of the samples, and 17 percent were ornamental plants.

The mailing address is: Plant Clinic, 1401 W. St. Mary's Road, Urbana, IL 61802. The phone number is 217-333-0519.

Further information is available at University of Illinois Extension offices.