Listed below are a few of the testing services available to the industry and public. If you know of a service that should be included here, please let us know using our contact form.
The Washington State University Puyallup Plant & Insect Diagnostic Laboratory is committed to helping the citizens of Washington State resolve their troubles with plants and insects through accurate problem diagnoses. They also provide applicable management options to a numerous state clientele like commercial growers, pest control operators, home gardeners, consultants, county agents, Master Gardeners, and research personnel.
The laboratory is currently equipped to handle samples from Washington State, particularly western Washington State, and not from other areas of the country. To achieve an accurate diagnosis of the problems, samples should be accompanied by detailed information about the problem. Please note that services will not be provided without payment of diagnostic fees.
The fee for diagnosis of plant problems starts at $40 and special tests (for example molecular analysis) may incur extra fees but they will contact the client first. They can invoice upon completion of the diagnostic work despite what the fine print of the paperwork says.
WSU Puyallup Plant & Insect Diagnostic Laboratory
Diagnostician contact information:
Jenny Rebecca Glass
Plant Diagnostician
WSU Puyallup Plant & Insect Diagnostic Laboratory
2606 W Pioneer, Puyallup, WA 98371
phone: 253.445.4582 fax: 253.445.4621
email: jennyglass@wsu.edu
On December 1st Rachel Bomberger joined the WSU Plant Pathology Department as the diagnostician and manager of the diagnostic clinic. Rachel received her Master of Science degree at Oregon State University. Rachel comes to WUS after working for the Nevada Department of Agriculture plant pathology lab as a diagnostician where she became a quality management system auditor under the System for Timely, Accurate, and Reliable Diagnostics (STAR-D). She was also involved with the National Plant Diagnostics Network (NPDN). Rachel’s background is in fungal, viral, nematode, and abiotic plant problem diagnostics. The Plant Pest Diagnostic Clinic (PPDC) in Pullman will be working with the Puyallup Plant and Insect Laboratory to offer plant problem diagnosis, and provide pest management recommendations. The PPDC’s purpose is to help solve plant health problems and provide training related to disease and pest diagnosis.
A full description about diagnostic services, sample collection and how to submit samples can be found by visiting the diagnostic clinic’s website or contact the clinic by email at plant.clinic@wsu.edu, (509) 335-0619, or by stopping by the diagnostic clinic at Johnson Hall 316.
Services Available:
- Plant health problem evaluation and analysis
- Pest identification
- Pathogen culture and identification
- Virus testing
- Management recommendations
Fee Schedule:
- $25.00 – Basic Information Inquiries
- $40.00 – Pathogen Culture or Extensive Research
*Advanced testing may require and additional fee
WSU Extension provides a weed identification service through the Department of Crops and Soil Sciences. They can either identify the sample by direct examination or by looking at a digital image. Weeds are identified by flowers and their fruits or nuts. Leaves, stems, and roots may also aid in the identification. So the sample, either physical or digital image, should show as much of these structures as possible for an accurate identification. For more information about how to submit a physical sample or digital image and other related information visit their website.
The Oregon State University Plant Clinic is a diagnostic facility associated with and housed in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology. The Plant Clinic has been operational since 1954. As part of the OSU Cooperative Extension Service, the primary mission of the Plant Clinic is educational. Extended education is provided by helping our clients recognize the nature of their plant problem (diagnosis) and by helping them to manage the disease or disorder using proper control methods, including cultural, biological, and chemical measures. Emphasis is on prevention of problems by proper management.
“Our clients include individual growers; field representatives of chemical and fertilizer companies and food processors; home gardeners; and employees of State and Federal organizations in Oregon.
In 2003 the Plant Clinic became part of the newly established National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN), and shortly thereafter it was designated an expert laboratory for the Western Region of the NPDN. As such the Plant Clinic serves as a resource lab and conducts specialized tests for Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska.
In 2003 the Plant Clinic also joined forces with OSU’s Insect Identification Service. Now all insect, arthropod, mollusk, and plant samples come to one location.” – excerpt from their website
Oregon State University Plant Clinic
Related Services:
This database contains information on analytical laboratories, consultant and laboratory services available to perform testing for the general public, especially agriculture, in the Pacific Northwest. The database is maintained by the Washington State Pest Management Resource Service located at the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center under the direction of Dr. Vincent Herbert. The database can be searched by company name or by type of service.
Analytical Laboratories and Consultants Serving Agriculture in the Pacific Northwest Database
The Lost Apple Project is run by the Whitman County Historical Society and partnered with the WSU Genomics Lab. The Whitman County website has a list of contact people you can email or you can email the Genomics Lab via the email link on that webpage (envelop icon).
