UNIDAD ASOCIADA "SISTEMAS AGROFORESTALES": ESTACIÓN FITOPATOLÓXICA DO AREEIRO - MISIÓN BIOLÓGICA DE GALICIA

REQUIREMENTS FOR SAMPLE COLLECTION AND SUBMISSION FOR PLANT PATHOLOGY ANALYSIs

The main aim of the Estación Fitopatolóxica do Areeiro is providing a correct and rapid diagnosis to individuals, cooperatives, farmers and technicians. At present, the services available in our laboratory are:

• Plant pathogenic diagnosis: fungi, bacteria, nematodes and virus.
• Arthropods diagnosis: insects, mites and myriapods.
• Diagnosis of disorders caused by non biotic agents: physiological disorders, environmental conditions, etc.

SAMPLE COLLECTION:

As follows, we provide some general guidelines for the collection and transportation of plant material, soils, substrates and peat for analysis:

• Plant samples:
  
  1. 1. Samples have to be representative of the area selected. It is of crucial importance to select those organs or parts of the plant showing symptoms characteristic of the different stages or levels of development of the disease.
     
  2. 2. If plants are extremely tall, select only the parts or part presenting the problem, namely leaves, areas of the stalks, flowers or affected roots. When plants are small, select two or three plants. Together with these samples submit plants or healthy parts to compare them.
     
  3. 3. Collect the samples when plants are free from water from rain or dew to avoid fungal and bacterial development
     
  4. 4. When the attack is caused by arthropods, submit the plant samples with the characteristic damage of the insect and mite. Submit also a sample of the arthropod, in adult stage and nymph or larval stage. When possible, include other pest stages. Arthropods will be sent inside a recipient with an hermetic seal.
     
  5. 5. Search for the presence of any visible alteration in the plant: lesions, galls, cracks, crevices, cankers of the root, trunk or branches. In case any of these symptoms are observed, please submit a sample of them.
     
  6. Submit the sample to the laboratory as soon as possible.
     
  7. 7. Identify the sample correctly to avoid any confusion.
     
     
     
• Soil samples, substrate, peat, etc.
  1. 1. The first 5 cm of soil must be discarded. For most cultures, samples of 20-40 cm bellow ground are enough to perform the soil analysis. For lawn and meadows, samples from 5 to 10 cm depth are recommended. On the other hand, in those cultures having deep roots and fruit trees, soil samples must be taken from 30 to 60 cm depth.

SAMPLE SUBMISSION:

1.- 1. Plant samples:

It is of crucial importance to send the sample in the best possible conditions, since the diagnosis is almost impossible when samples arrive to the laboratory completely wilt or rotten.

Roots: Roots are collected with a good portion of soil, then they are placed inside plastic bags and introduced in a cardboard box. Seal the box for its submission.

Leaves, flowers, buds, tender branches: They must be sent without external moisture, spread in the middle of absorbent paper or newspaper sheets and protected inside plastic bags, so as they are not damaged during their transportation.

Stalks and branches: They can be submitted in the same way as leaves and flowers. If they are large, they can cut in smaller portions.

Fruits, tubercles and bulbs:They must be wrapped inside newspaper sheets to absorb their moisture and then placed inside plastic bags or cardboard boxes. Select only those samples presenting initial symptoms, thus avoiding samples presenting any damage occurring during transportation.

Seeds: inside plastic bags

Arthropods: Samples can be collected and submitted following two proceedings: together with the substrate (plant or soil) and introduced in paper boxes or bags and later inside plastic bags, or without the substrate. If the arthropod is alive, its introduction inside a recipient with a hermetic seal is advised (in case of larvae/nymphs it is advised to add a piece of plant). If it is not alive, it can be placed inside a hermetic tube. In every case, it is advised to take more than a specimen. Butterflies or moths are placed inside a piece of card folded as a pyramid. To avoid any confusion, every sample must be correctly identified with a number or a name, with its equivalent in a separate sheet.

2.- Soil samples:

Around 1 Kg of soil, peal, substrate, etc. must be collected in several points around the plant and then must be placed in a plastic bag correctly sealed.

Apart from the sample itself all relevant information must be included to facilitate their diagnosis: characteristics of pest and disease damage, its evolution in the field, as well as temperature, relative humidity and other environmental conditions occurring in the affected plantation, soil characteristics, culture practices and different chemical treatments applied.

Once this requirements are fulfilled, submit samples to:

Estación Fitopatolóxica do Areeiro
Subida a la Robleda s/n 36153 Pontevedra (España)