Dr. James Mertely, PhD
Director Plant Diagnostic Lab
(813) 633-4131
(map and directions)

Sample Submission Form
Sample Collection and Submission Instructions:
Printer-Friendly Instructions

Samples that exhibit early symptom development and have plant parts that are still partially alive (green) offer the best quality samples for accurate plant disease diagnosis.  Samples that are totally necrotic, dry, and long dead are not adequate for an accurate diagnosis.  Dead tissue is essentially a food source for many saprophytic microbes, hence determining the primary pathogen is often impossible.  The best samples arriving at the clinic represent early stages of disease development (i.e. before the plant part is totally necrotic or mush).  Samples should be accompanied by a complete data form, which is available at our center or can be found here:

Sample Submission Form