Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/60127
Clinic can diagnose crop ailments Karen Ward runs WSU's Plant Pest Diagnostic Clinic. samples for diagnosis of diseases and disorders. The clinic, based in Pullman, serves growers and advisors, as well as the general public, primarily in central and eastern Washington. A second clinic at the Puyallup Research and Extension Center serves western Washington. Ward said she's ready to diagnose anything from a I common, but unidentified problem to a new, exotic dis- ease. A grower might notice something wrong with his or her cherries and want to find out the cause. The grower might have checked with a horticulturist and still not found out what's wrong. She can diagnose plant samples based on visual exam- ination, pathogen culturing, and by using pathogen- specific test kits. Samples suspected of infection by f you find strange rots or spots on your fruit trees or some mysterious ailment, Washington State Univer- sity's Plant Pest Diagnostic Clinic is ready to help out. Karen Ward, clinic coordinator, accepts plant It serves the public, growers, and advisors. by Geraldine Warner viruses or phytoplasma are sent to another testing lab. Molecular testing will be available in the future. Once the problem is diagnosed, Ward can refer the grower or advisor to published recommendations or to an expert who can explain how to treat it. Ward, who is a plant pathologist with a master's degree from the University of California, Davis, said growers can also submit insect and arthropod samples, which she will have identified by entomologists. The cost of a basic diagnosis or insect identification is $25. If pathogen culturing is necessary, the charge is $40. Samples submitted to the clinic should show the symptoms of concern. They should show various stages of the problem, especially the early stages, which might mean sending several plants. Dead, dry, or decayed samples provide insufficient material for diagnosis. Many problems originate below ground, so roots and soil should be included when possible for more accurate diagnosis. http://plantpath .wsu.edu. F • It also helps to include a description of the tree, site, irrigation, and pesticide and fertilizer use, as well as detailed information about the problem. When was it first noticed? Is it spreading? If so, how fast? How are trees affected? Ward was plant disease diagnostician at Utah State University in Logan before joining the new WSU diagnos- tic clinic in 2010. Previously, WSU did disease diagnosis at its Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser. or more information about the clinic and how to package and submit samples, check the Web site Irrigation Technology FOR THE FUTURE AGRICULTURE ENVIRONMENTAL GREEN INDUSTRY Nelson engineers have made an impressive number of advance- ments to the original Rotator® in the 25 years since its inception. Expansion of the product across all segments of the industry has led to water savings and improved irrigation worldwide. Nelson's numerous patents and pending patents provide benefits such as: Tel: +1 509.525.7660 / nelsonirrigation.com / youtube.com/pivotirrigation 10 APRIL 1, 2012 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com