Agriculture & Landscape Program
Plant Diagnosis & Insect Identification

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SERVICES ::

Plant diagnostics maintain a critical link between the teams of the UMass Extension Agriculture & Landscape Program and the industries that they serve. In most cases, diagnostic recommendations help to mitigate current problems and reduce or eliminate future problems. Plant diagnostic services offered include insect ID, weed ID, nematode analysis, fungal and bacterial disease diagnosis, and plant ID.

Details about the various diagnostic services offered by UMass Extension can be found below. Please note that the majority of the services listed (with the exception of soil testing) are for professional use only, and are not available directly to the homeowner.

LANDSCAPE, NURSERY, AND URBAN FORESTRY DIAGNOSTICS

The Urban Forestry Diagnostic Lab accepts specimens related to problems of woody plants and turf caused by insect, diseases, and/or weeds. Available services are woody plant disease analysis, landscape and turf insect ID, landscape and turf weed ID, and turfgrass ID.

Contact: Dan Gillman
Urban Forestry Diagnostic Lab, 160 Holdsworth Way
Holdsworth Natural Resources Center
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003-9285
Phone: (413) 545-3208
Fax: (413) 545-4385
E-mail: dgillman@umext.umass.edu

For complete information, including fees and instructions for how to send a sample, visit http://www.umassgreeninfo.org/services/urban_forestry_lab.htm

TURF DISEASE DIAGNOSTICS

Turf disease diagnostic services are provided by the UMass Turf Disease Diagnostic Lab at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. These services are for professional use only.

Contact: Dr. Robert Wick
Department of Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences
111 Fernald Hall
University of Massachusetts
270 Stockbridge Road
Amherst, MA 01003-9320
Phone: (413) 545-1045
E-mail: rwick@pltpath.umass.edu

For complete information, including fees and instructions for how to send a sample, visit http://www.umassturf.org/services/turf_diagnostics/diseases.html

FLORICULTURE DIAGNOSTICS

Commercial flower growers who have a problem with their crop and are in need of diagnostic services can contact the Floriculture Disease Diagnostic Lab.

Contact: Dr. Robert Wick
Department of Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences
109 Fernald Hall
270 Stockbridge Rd.
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003-9320
Phone: (413) 545-1045
Fax: (413) 545-2532
E-mail: rwick@pltpath,umass.edu

For complete information, including fees and instructions for how to send a sample, visit http://www.umass.edu/umext/floriculture/grower_services/diagnostics.html

VEGETABLE DIAGNOSTICS

The UMass Plant Disease Diagnostic and Nematode Assay Lab routinely carries out nematode assays, microscopy, and lab ID of fungi, bacteria, and nematodes. Some virus testing is also available.

Contact: Dr. Robert Wick
Department of Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences
109 Fernald Hall
270 Stockbridge Rd.
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003-9320
Phone: (413) 545-1045
Fax: (413) 545-2532
E-mail: rwick@pltpath,umass.edu

For complete information, including fees and instructions for how to send a sample, visit http://www.umassvegetable.org/grower_services/diagnostics_lab.html

SOIL AND PLANT TISSUE TESTING

The services of the UMass Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Lab are available to all. For information, see the Soil Testing section of this website.

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