Services and fees
Insect/mite and other arthropod identifications are currently provided free of charge. Fees listed below for disease diagnosis are subject to change.
HEMP: THE PLANT CLINIC CAN ACCEPT HEMP SAMPLES AS LONG AS THEY ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HEMP REGISTRATION NUMBER.
THE PLANT CLINIC IS NOT ALLOWED TO ACCEPT CANNABIS SAMPLES DUE TO UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS.
Disease Diagnosis Services
Plant disease diagnosis = $75 per sample.
This is our most frequently requested service. The service includes overall evaluation, including microscopic exam, results from a moist chamber, isolations onto artificial nutrient media, and identification of fungi or bacteria to genus. Viruses are diagnosed using serology or electron microscopy. Measurement of soil pH and total soluble salts will be performed if necessary. Management recommendations are included.
Specialized Identification Services
Bacterial identifications
Identification of purified bacterial cultures = $60
This service identifies purified plant related bacterial cultures using Biolog. This method uses a microtiter plate filled with different carbon sources and identifies bacteria according to their metabolic profile; ID will be to species when possible.
Assaying for Agrobacterium species in symptomless material
$130 per sample
Fungal or Bacterial ID via PCR (where available)
$75/pathogen
Phytophthora Detection via ELISA
$45 for one sample; $20 per additional sample
Testing Soil or Water for Phytophthora via Baiting
$75 per sample
Viral identifications
Virus identification via serological assay (ELISA).
These fees are for those plant samples that are submitted specifically with a request to test for viruses. The cost of virus testing is based on the number of samples submitted and the number of viruses for which the samples are to be tested.
-$75 for one sample/one virus (additional samples = $20 each; additional virus = $15 each)
Virus testing done by an outside company = Cost of testing + postage
It is occasionally necessary to send a sample out to a third party for testing. The fees associated with doing so are dependent on the fees charged by the testing service. That fee is passed along to our client without any additional charge.
Seed assays
$90/seed sample (Kabatiella, Phoma, Ascochyta, Gloeotinia)
Water assays
Phytophthora or Pythium testing of water via filtration. Advance notice is required and samples can be accepted only Monday through Wednesday. $110/sample
Soil assays
Assaying field soil for the presence of Verticillium = $55/soil sample. This service analyzes the soil samples for propagules of the fungus Verticillium dahliae. We suggest a minimum of 5 samples per acre in order to get a reasonable representation of the field. This test takes a minimum of 4 weeks.
Rush samples
Plant samples to be done on a "rush" basis = $175 per sample.
This includes an extremely thorough investigation, with results available in most cases in 24 hours. This includes evaluation for fungal and other diseases; no additional fees are assessed for culturing or other methods needed to reach a diagnosis. This service is not available at all times. Please call to confirm it is available before submitting a sample.
Special assays and ID services = $175/ hour
Insect Submission
If sending dead specimens, place in container with a piece of paper towel soaked in rubbing alcohol or submerged in rubbing alcohol (ethyl alcohol is preferred). There are postal restrictions regarding sending alcohol in the mail:
- The sample containers should be leak-proof plastic, glass or metal containers.
- The lid of each sample container should be sealed onto the container so it does not accidentally come open.
- There should be no more than 1 oz (30 mL) of alcohol in each sample container.
- Sample containers should be placed into a secondary container (a ziplock-type bag would suffice) with absorbent, cushioning material such as paper towels.
- The secondary container should be put into a strong outer package (padded envelop or box) for mailing.
- On the address side of the mailing container, write: "This package conforms to 49 CFR 173.4".
- A complete return address and delivery address must be used.
If submitting several different insects/spiders please place them in separate containers each with a separate label written in pencil.
- Pack specimens in sturdy containers to prevent crushing in transit. Use soft paper to pack live specimens in the container.
- IDENTIFY THE PACKAGE WITH LABELS BOTH OUTSIDE AND INSIDE. PUT THE INSECT ID FORM (plant-clinic.bpp.oregonstate.edu/files/plant_clinic/Insect%20ID%20Form_2014.pdf) IN A PLASTIC BAG TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL MOISTURE DAMAGE.
Other services
Other services not listed here may be available. Call for information.
Out of state samples
ALL SAMPLES received from out-of-state will be assessed an additional 50% surcharge.
Factors used to set fees include cost of materials, supplies, clerical support, and a portion of the labor required to perform the tests. The remainder of the costs are paid by the OSU Extension Service as part of its education mission.
For more information, contact:
Melodie Putnam. Director
or Heather Johnson, Diagnostician
OSU Plant Clinic
Cordley Hall, Room 4120
2701 SW Campus Way
Corvallis, OR 97331-2903
Tel. 541-737-3472
Fax 541-737-2412
putnamm@science.oregonstate.edu