The Plant Diagnostic Clinic's function is to provide research-based information on crop health in South Dakota. The Plant Diagnostic Clinic serves the state of South Dakota and the Great Plains region by providing fast and accurate plant health and diagnostic information for the agricultural and horticultural industries.  We perform routine diagnosis of field crop, horticultural crop diseases and turf diseases for industry and homeowners.  Occasionally, we also serve as a point of contact in South Dakota for major agricultural biosecurity issues related to plant health.

The Plant Diagnostic Clinic is also the SDSU Soybean Cyst Nematode Testing Service.  We provide sample analysis and management recommendations to crop managers dealing with the most damaging pest of soybeans in the world--the soybean cyst nematode (SCN).  SCN samples are analyzed, free-of-charge, for South Dakota growers thanks to a grant from the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council.

Submitting samples for testing is quite easy.

1. Provide information: Download the form. Fill out the form as completely as possible, noting such things as irrigation, shading, proximity to sidewalks, parking lots, buildings, and past damage such as construction.  This will help you determine if the disease is spreading and it will help form a mental picture of what the site is like to the diagnostician.
2. Send in as much plant sample as possible.  The leaves, stems and roots can be necessary for accurate diagnosis.  Even though symptoms appear on the leaf, they could be coming from the soil and moving up so stems and roots would be necessary to complete the diagnosis.  Photos are helpful if taking an entire plant sample isn’t possible.
3. Place entire plant into a Ziploc bag along including the roots. Place a dry paper towel inside the Ziploc bag to absorb excess moisture they may start to decompose the plant.
4. Place the Ziploc bag into a box or envelope depending on the sample size, and fill the empty spaces with newspaper. This will keep the sample from becoming damaged during shipment.   Ship it Quick plant material can start to decay rapidly so you may need to ship your samples by two-day or preferably by overnight delivery.

Your sample is now on its way and will be diagnosed as quickly as possible.