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Floriculture
- Sending Samples to the Lab & Links to Diagnose Problem Plants
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) looks at crops as part of a larger ecosystem
and attempts to restore balance within that system by considering all
options before taking action. Accurate pest identification, diagnosis
and monitoring are crucial to IPM strategies, which integrate cultural,
biological and chemical solutions to grow a crop with minimal use of pesticides.The following links provide information to help diagnose plant problems.
Insects, Mite & Diseases | Diseases |Insects, Mites |Plant Nutrition | Air Pollution | Growth Regulator Overdose Floriculture Diagnostic Services
The Floriculture Disease Diagnostic Lab is located in Holdsworth Hall (as of February 2006). Commercial flower growers who have a problem with their crop and are in need of diagnostic services should contact one of the following specialists directly:
Diseases - Dr. Rob Wick, Bess Dicklow, Tina Smith, Paul Lopes
Insects- Dr. Roy Van Driesche, Tina Smith, Paul Lopes
Plant nutrition - Dr. Doug Cox
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How to Send Samples to the Diagnostic Lab
If you do not know the general cause of the problem, contact Dr. Rob Wick, Bess Dicklow, Tina Smith or Paul Lopes. The fee for diagnosis is $50 per sample. Upon reaching a conclusion, the lab will call or send a report on the diagnosis and recommendations. Always call Dr. Wick (413) 545-1045 or Bess Dicklow ((413-577-1827) first to see if sending a specimen is necessary, or to inform them that one is being sent. Samples should be hand delivered if possible or sent overnight mail along with the form below.
Plant Diagnostic Form
Print and complete this form and include with each sample. Send several plants or leaves showing a range of symptoms that are representative of the problem. If a specimen can be delivered to the lab in less than 48 hours, it can be placed in a plastic bag. Do not add water. When entire plants are sent, wrap roots and attached soil in a plastic bag and secure to the stem with a twist tie. Avoid sending plant material that is completely dead.
Send samples to:
Bess Dicklow
UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab
160 Holdsworth Way
Holdsworth Natural Resources Center
University of Massachusetts, Amherst MA 01003 |
The following links provide information to help diagnose plant problems.
Insects, Mites & Diseases
New
England Greenhouse Floriculture Guide (Order form)
Descriptions, lifecycles and Management
Pest Management
and Identification UC Davis
Diseases
Plant
Disease Facts Penn
State
Fact Sheets on Diseases UC Davis
Agdia Test Kits and Diagnostic Services Disease test kits are sold
for on site disease detection
Hydros
Inc Disease
test kits are sold for on site disease detection
Insects, Mites
Free Insect Identification (Send samples to USDA lab)
A
Guide to Insects and Related Pests of Floricultural Crops in New England
Contains pictures and lifecycles of greenhouse pests, available
from the UMass Exension Bookstore
Fact Sheets on Insects
University of Massachusetts
Plant Nutrition
Nutrient
Deficiency Symptoms North
Carolina State University
Air Pollution in Greenhouses
Air
Pollution in greenhouses (University
of Guelph)
Air
Pollution
North Carolina State University (for greenhouse vegetables)
Carbon
Dioxide Injury Ontario Ministry of Agriculture
Growth Regulator Overdose
Symptoms
of Growth Regulator Overdose North
Carolina State University
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