Plant Diagnostic Service Now Available

The Department of Agriculture and Forestry is once again offering a plant disease diagnostic service for farmers, agri-business, agricultural extension staff and the general public. The objective of the program is to identify disease problems and provide information to control them, if possible, and to prevent any recurrence. Most of the crops dealt with include potatoes, cereals, fruit crops and cole crops.

Samples can be submitted directly to the Plant Diagnostic laboratory located at the Department of Agriculture & Forestry building in Kensington, or through the Access PEI offices. Disease diagnosis can usually be determined within a week. For potato foliar diseases, such as late blight, the turn around time is immediate to 48 hours depending on the sample submitted.

"This service is here for all farmers and agri-business representatives and utilizing the laboratory helps take the guess work out of solving problems," says plant diagnostician Marleen Clark. "An accurate disease diagnosis can actually save farmers money." All sample results are followed up with a written laboratory report and the appropriate control measures.

There is no cost for the service.