Samples submitted may be individual samples or compound samples. If submitting compound samples collect tissue material from various locations throughout the area of interest. Do not collect leaves/tissue samples that are dead, damaged by insects or mechanically injured. Submit a sufficient amount of material for testing. A single plant sample may not be enough to allow a correct diagnosis of the problem. If possible, select samples with various stages of disease development (early and late stages). When the entire plant cannot be shipped, or submitted, collect the largest plant sample possible, or portions of each major plant organ (roots, stems, leaves, flowers).

For leaf/fruit diseases, submit leaves/fruits showing various stages of infection. For lawn and turf diseases, submit a 3-4” diameter plug that is 2-3” in depth taken where the healthy and diseased areas meet. Include roots and the adhering soil. Branch specimens (8–12” long) should include the diseased area and part of the healthy area.