University of Missouri Plant Diagnostic Clinic 2018 annual report

Published: February 27, 2019

Sample diagnosis

In 2018, the MU PDC received a total of 426 samples which includes physical samples, walk-in samples (samples not charged)  and digital images submitted by email for plant disease diagnosis, insect, weed and plant identification. Disease diagnosis accounted for 81% of the total sample processed and the month of June marked the peak of submission with 95 samples (Figure 1). Samples submitted to the clinic were categorized into different crop types such as field crops, turf, ornamentals, vegetables and fruits. Ornamentals were the largest sample category with 138, followed by field crops (79) and turf (74) (Figure 2).

Figure 1 Percentage distribution of samples submitted to the clinic by type of diagnosis

Figure 2 Distribution of samples submitted for disease diagnosis by sample category

Soybeans were submitted most often into the Clinic in 2018 with 50 samples, followed by corn (22), wheat (3), bean (2) and forage crops (2). The 2018 drought condition in Missouri delayed planting and disease emergence early in the season. Predominantly, physiological disorders, chemical damage and nutrient deficiencies were observed on corn and soybean early in the season. The hot and dry condition increased the incidence of late season diseases in soybean. Anthracnose stem blight, charcoal rot, pod and stem blight and soybean sudden death syndrome were the prevalent diseases observed. Diseases diagnosed on corn include gray leaf spot detected in one sample from Polk County, northern corn leaf blight from one sample in Lafayette County, and southern corn rust from Jasper County. Corn stalk rot caused by various fungi was also observed (Table 1).

Table 1 A list of diseases and pests diagnosed on agronomic crops in 2018

The PDC is open year round for sample submission. A general diagnosis is $15, additional services are $10 each if special testing such as an ELISA/immunostrip, culture plating or molecular diagnosis is required. Please visit our PDC website http:// plantclinic.missouri.edu/ or call (573-882-3019) for more information.