Horticulture pathology

SARDI provides services to

  • identify diseases and nematodes for all horticultural crops
  • provide details about the cause of diseases
  • suggest possible management where available.

We can only make accurate diagnoses if you carefully select and package your specimens. If in doubt, contact the laboratory before sampling and sending the specimen.

Fees

All listed prices include GST. Prices were correct at time of publication but may be subject to change without notice.

Horticultural diagnostic service fees

Diseased plant samplesFee
Symptom and microscopic examination:
Investigation toward fungal, bacterial, viral causes. Fungal spores may allow for identification and bacterial streaming included.
$104.50
Culture identification:
Dissection of plant tissue and growth of fungi or bacteria cultures for morphological (visual) identification, up to 3 replicates of one symptom.
$192.50
DNA based identification is often required, further to the above.$77.00 – additional
Strip tests may be useful to assist diagnosis, currently available:
  • CMM (tomato bacterial canker) – Agdia
  • TSWV – Agdia
  • PVY – Agdia
  • Spongospora subterranea (powdery scab of potato) – Bioreba
$85.25 per strip or request a quote for multiple samples
Nematode extractionsFee
Soil or plant for plant pathogenic nematodes1–5 samples$187.00 per sample
>5 samples$143.00 per sample
Free living nematodes as part of pathogenic nematode test1–5 samples$47.08 per sample
>5 samples$41.47 per sample
Pathogen specific testsFee
BUDMON – Pistachio100 buds per sample$258.28
Second and subsequent samples up to a total of 10$181.28
ONFIT – Pistachio fruit testFirst sample of 100 fruit$346.50
Second and subsequent samples up to a total of 10$181.50
Botrytis latentGrape bunches – 100 bunches per sample$319.00
Rhizoctonia soil baiting $176.00
Fungicide resistance testingQuote based on pathogen, number of cultures, number of fungicides and mycelial or spore germination inhibition methodRequest a quote
Fungal inoculation trials Request a quote

Potato virus testing fees

PVY, PVX, PVS, TSWV, PLRV

Each sample consists of 10–20 subsamples of 10–20 potato leaves. Prices are per subsample.

Number subsampleNumber virus
12345
1$263.45$263.45$263.45$263.45$263.45
2$140.14$148.83$178.09$96.58$233.64
3$106.04$127.82$154.99$183.70$211.64
4$81.62$98.34$119.35$141.68$163.24
5$66.99$81.62$99.00$116.38$134.20
6$57.31$69.63$84.48$99.55$116.49
7$50.38$61.05$74.36$88.11$102.30
8$45.10$54.67$70.40$86.57$96.91
9$41.03$49.61$68.20$82.72$93.06
10–19$40.59$49.17$70.07$81.40$92.07
20–29$25.41$33.55$41.91$51.70$58.63
30–39$19.91$26.18$32.78$39.93$45.54
40–59$17.38$23.10$29.15$35.75$41.14
60–79$16.06$21.01$26.73$32.89$38.06
>80$14.41$18.81$24.20$29.92$34.98
Additional costsSubsampling leaves – per 100 leaves (for 10 or more subsamples)$90.20
Tuber sprouting – per subsample tray (10–20 tubers)$47.96
Extra report$17.49

Submission forms

Complete and submit the relevant form with your sample:

Samples from interstate

If sending samples from outside South Australia, you must also:

  1. ensure the sample is double-bagged
  2. mark the outside of the package "S1273" to indicate it contains quarantine material.

Preparing your specimen

Container plants:

  • choose pots or trays with plants showing a range of symptoms, from initial to advanced stages.

Plants wilting, yellowing and dying back:

  • dig up and submit whole plants (if possible) together with soil around roots
  • dead plants are not suitable for disease identification.

Fruit, leaves, flowers, twigs and branches:

  • select specimens that have both diseased and adjacent healthy areas.

Root diseases (e.g. Phytophthora or Rhizoctonia testing):

  • collect a few subsamples of soil and roots from beneath each plant to a depth of 15 cm
  • make a representative sample of about 500 g for each plant or location.

Nematodes:

Sending specimens

  1. Read the Plant disease and insect identification packaging guide: how to send samples for diagnosis in Australia (PDF 584.0 KB).
  2. Pack your sample securely – couriers may otherwise refuse to handle the plant material.
  3. Only send specimen sheets or letters with your sample if they’re in a plastic bag.
  4. Label each of your samples with a waterproof marker.
  5. Mark your package: "Urgent – plant samples".
  6. Arrange fast delivery to avoid deterioration of the specimens – express post is preferred. Do not send specimens on a Friday.

Postal address

SARDI Horticulture Pathology
Plant Research Centre
Locked Bag 100
Glen Osmond SA 5064

Street address

SARDI Horticulture Pathology
Plant Research Centre
Gateway 2A
Hartley Grove
Urrbrae SA 5064

Timeframes

Timeframes will depend on the tests requested. We can provide an estimated date for your final report when we have received your sample.

A written report and invoice will be sent when all testing is complete.

Contact

Horticulture diagnostics
Dr Cathryn Todd
Phone: (08) 8429 2249
Email: cathryn.todd@sa.gov.au

Virus testing
Ms Sue Pederick
Phone: (08) 8429 2214
Email: sue.pederick@sa.gov.au

Page last reviewed: 08 Dec 2023

 


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