is it a disease? self diagnosis is the first step

S T E P 1 : T H E I N V E S T I G AT I V E P R O C E S S

IS THIS A DISEASE?

Step 1: Determine whether the malady is actually a disease

Step 2: Know what to sample and what to do with it

BECOME YOUR OWN INVESTIGATOR

WhereWhoHow

IT’S LIKE PLAYING CLUE

PART 1WHERE?

ROOT

TRUNK

CROWN

TWIG

STEM

LEAF

ENTIRE PLANT

Leaf• Entire leaf• Upper side• New leaves• Leaf margins• Canopy dieback• Inner canopy• Entire plant

WHERE?

Leaf• Entire leaf• Upper side• New leaves• Old growth• Canopy dieback• Inner canopy• Entire plant

WHERE?

Twigs & Branches• Upper canopy• Young twigs• Lower branches

WHERE?

Twigs & Branches• Upper canopy• Young twigs• Lower branches

WHERE?

Trunks & Crowns• Soil line• Upper trunk• Sunken• Callus• Watery and mushy• Dry rot• Girdling

WHERE?

Trunks & Crowns• Soil line• Upper trunk• Sunken• Callus• Watery and mushy• Dry rot• Girdling

WHERE?

Roots• Black roots• No visible roots• Smell• Dry rot• Mushy, wet rot

WHERE?

Roots• Black roots• No visible roots• Smell• Dry rot• Mushy, wet rot

WHERE?

PART 2HOW?

VECTORS

MICRO-CLIMATES

WOUNDS

INOCULUM LOAD

Wounds • Mechanical

wounds• Pruning cuts• Insect damage• Sun scald

HOW?

Wounds • Mechanical

wounds• Pruning cuts• Insect damage• Sun scald

HOW?

Inoculum load • Overwintering

cankers• Poor sanitation• Diseased stock• Fallen leaves

HOW?

Inoculum load • Overwintering

cankers• Poor sanitation• Diseased stock• Fallen leaves

HOW?

Vectors • Aphids• Thrips• Whiteflies• Mites • Nematodes• Borers & beetles

HOW?

Vectors • Aphids• Thrips• Whiteflies• Mites • Nematodes• Borers & beetles

HOW?

Microclimates • Overhead

irrigation• Poor air

circulation• Close spacing• Shady • Foggy• Greenhouse

HOW?

Microclimates • Overhead

irrigation• Poor air

circulation• Close spacing• Shady • Foggy• Greenhouse

HOW?

PART 3WHO?

VIRUS

BACTERIA

FUNGI

WATER MOLDS

Fungi • Leaf spots• Root rots• Cankers• Blights • Visible fruiting

bodies

WHO?

Fungi • Leaf spots• Root rots• Cankers• Blights • Visible fruiting

bodies

WHO?

Fungi • Leaf spots• Root rots• Cankers• Blights • Visible fruiting

bodies• Wilts

WHO?

Bacteria • Leaf spots• Cankers• Blights • Wilts• Scorch

WHO?

Bacteria • Leaf spots• Cankers• Blights • Wilts• Scorch

WHO?

Water Molds • Leaf blotches• Crown rots• Collar rots• Root rots• Mushy smelly

roots• “nibbled” roots

WHO?

Water Molds • Leaf blotches• Crown rots• Collar rots• Root rots• Mushy smelly

roots• “nibbled” roots

WHO?

Viruses • Misshapen leaves• Long internodes• Color changes• Witches broom• Leaf mottling or

marbling • Vein clearing

WHO?

Viruses • Misshapen leaves• Long internodes• Color changes• Witches broom• Leaf mottling or

marbling

WHO?

PART 3SECRET PASSAGES - IMPOSTERS?

DRAINAGE

GEOGRAPHY

NUTRITIONAL

ORIENTATION

WATER MECHANICAL DAMAGE

Nutritional • Stunting• Chlorosis• Discoloration• Decline

IMPOSTERS?

Water availability and drainage• Wilting• Wet feet

IMPOSTERS?

Geography and orientation • Sunscald• Freeze damage• Wet feet• Stunting

IMPOSTERS?

Mechanical damage • Wilting• Stunting

IMPOSTERS?

Insect damage • Chewing insects• Borers• Galls• Sucking insects,

sooty mold• Grub damage

IMPOSTERS?

PART 4MAKE A SUGGESTION - INVESTIGATE

BLIGHTED TWIGS BY STEM CANKER

ROOT ROT BY WATER MOLD

FUNGAL LEAF SPOT

WITCHES BROOM BY VIRUS

WILT FROM DROUGHT

SHADE PLANT IN THE SUN

Put it all together

• Grab a lens• Trace back leaf

blight• Crawl around the

base• Dig• Dump pots

INVESTIGATE

PART 5FILLING THE ENVELOPE

Know what and when to submit • Disease• Insects• Abiotic problems• Whole plants• Leaves• Roots

SAMPLE SUBMISSION?

2010 PLANT DISEASE DIAGNOSTIC SUMMARY FOR WOODY ORNAMENTALS

Cultural 19%

No Disease 28%

Inadequate Spec-imen 1%

Chemical Injury 2%

Pathogen 34%

PLANT DISEASE DIAGNOSTIC LAB

Sample submission

• Use the Disease Description form http://

www.ca.uky.edu/agcollege/plantpathology/ext_files/submitting-ppa9.pdf

• Provide early and mid-stages of the problem

• Dead is too late• Dig, don’t pull roots• Submit entire plants when

possible (roots, soil, foliage)• Branches should be 12” long• Use plastic bags

PDDL RESOURCE PAGE

FIRST OF TWO FORMS

About the client

• Contact information• Email address?• Speedy reply

• Agent office receives both copies • Agent forwards

a copy to client

SITE INFORMATION

This form is NOT optional

Describe in detail: • Symptoms• Site history• Cultural practices

Print on yellow paper

WhereWhoHow

ARE YOU READY?

Nicole Ward, Extension Specialist

Department of Plant Pathologywww.ca.uky.edu/agcollege/plantpathology/people/ward.htm

nicole.ward@uky.edu

859-218-0720 office859-797-3333 mobile/text

Facebook: UK - Diseases of Fruit Crops, Ornamentals, & Forest Trees

Twitter: @Nicole_WardUK

Blogger: nicolewarduk.blogspot.com