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
Horticultural diagnostic service fees
| Diseased plant samples | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Symptom and microscopic examination | Investigation toward fungal, bacterial, viral causes – fungal spores may allow for identification and bacterial streaming included | $109.00 |
| Culture identification | Dissection of plant tissue and growth of fungi or bacteria cultures for morphological (visual) identification, up to 3 replicates of 1 symptom | $205.00 |
| Additional DNA based identification is often required, further to the above | $105.00 | |
| Strip tests to assist diagnosis | Currently available:
| $80.00 per strip or request a quote for multiple samples |
| Nematode extractions | Fee | |
| Soil or plant for plant pathogenic nematodes | 1 to 9 samples | $190.00 per sample |
| 10 or more samples | $148.00 per sample | |
| Free living nematodes as part of pathogenic nematode test | In addition to plant parasitic nematode test | $30.00 per sample |
| Pathogen specific tests | Fee | |
| BUDMON – Pistachio | 100 buds per sample | $265.00 |
| Second and subsequent samples up to a total of 10 | $185.00 | |
| ONFIT – Pistachio fruit test | First sample of 100 fruit | $350.00 |
| Second and subsequent samples up to a total of 10 | $185.00 | |
| Botrytis latent | Grape bunches – 100 bunches per sample | $265.00 |
| Soil baiting | Presence of Phytophthora (and Pythium) to Genus only | $205.00 |
| Rhizoctonia to Genus only | $180.00 | |
| Fungicide resistance testing | Based on pathogen, number of cultures, number of fungicides, and mycelial or spore germination inhibition method | Request a quote |
| Fungal inoculation trials | Request a quote | |
| Additional services | Fee | |
| Handling fee when forwarding a sample to other services | This does not include postage and payment of invoices from the other service, please discuss as required | $30.00 |
Potato virus testing fees
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 subsample | Number virus | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 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 services | Fee | ||||
| Subsampling leaves | Per 100 leaves – 10 or more subsamples | $90.20 | |||
| Tuber sprouting | Per subsample tray – 10 to 20 tubers | $47.96 | |||
| Extra report | $17.49 | ||||
Submission forms
Complete and submit the relevant form with your sample:
- Disease diagnostics – Sample submission form
- Nematode – Sample submission form
- Potato virus testing – Sample submission form () – see also Protocol: Virus testing of potatoes ()
Samples from interstate
If sending samples from outside South Australia, you must also:
- ensure the sample is double-bagged
- 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:
- refer to our Guide to sampling nematodes ()
- nematodes can be extracted from either soil or roots
- separate samples from diseased and healthy plants to assist diagnosis.
Sending specimens
- Read the Plant disease and insect identification packaging guide: how to send samples for diagnosis in Australia ().
- Pack your sample securely – couriers may otherwise refuse to handle the plant material.
- Only send specimen sheets or letters with your sample if they’re in a plastic bag.
- Label each of your samples with a waterproof marker.
- Mark your package: "Urgent – plant samples".
- 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
GPO Box 397
Adelaide SA 5001
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
