Yuma Plant Health Clinic

Field diagnosis is available upon request to Bindu Poudel: (92) 920-1110 

University of Arizona Yuma County Cooperative Extension Plant Health Clinic is a plant disease diagnostic lab serving the Yuma County area. The Clinic is specialized in testing vegetable crops, ornamentals, trees, and field crops for fungi, bacteria, and viruses. The service is free of cost to commercial and home growers in Yuma County. Molecular diagnosis is also available however there is a fee associated with this service.

How to submit sample

1. Choosing sample/samples to send
   • Pick one plant that is a good example of the problem/sickness
   • Try to send multiple plants at different stages of sickness
   • Send one healthy plant for reference
   • Remember, there is no such thing as too much sample!
2. Fill out the plant sample submission form.
   • Please fill out as much information as you can, this helps with rapid diagnostic. 
   • Forms are also available at Yuma Ag Center (6425 W 8th Street) and Yuma County Cooperative Extension office (2200 W 28th Street St 102).
     • Feel free to take extra copies or make copies for future needs
3. Mail or drop off submission form with sample
   • Mail to: Yuma Plant Health Clinic 6425 W 8th Street, Yuma AZ 85364. Please ship overnight.
   • Drop off: Yuma Plant Health Clinic 6425 W 8th Street, Yuma AZ 85364
     • Drop off samples at the Clinic by 3 PM, it allows us to process the samples same day, so you can get your diagnostic results within 48 hours.
4. If you are shipping samples please remember to include the USDA Aphis Permit for moving plant samples.

Research

Bio-assay to predict risk of Fusarium Wilt

We are glad to announce that we have been funded by Arizona Iceberg Lettuce Research Council to develop a bioassay to predict the risk of Fusarium Wilt.
Fusarium Wilt of lettuce caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Lactucae is a major problem in lettuce throughout the country and the world. However, it is of even more significance in Yuma, Arizona because of the amount of lettuce we produce in winter. Fusarium Wilt of lettuce has been a threat to lettuce industry. We are developing a protocol to predict the risk. Stay tuned for the updates on our project.

Helpful links from a successful bioassay program at Washington State University by Dr. Lindsey du Toit and her team. More information about how bioassays are done and how do they help the growers community.

• http://mtvernon.wsu.edu/blog/2016/09/26/risky-business/
• https://news.wsu.edu/2014/12/19/winter-soil-testing-research-aid-spinach-seed-growers/
• https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/pdf/10.1094/PDIS-08-14-0804-RE