BBC LABORATORIES
Agricultural & Environmental Microbiological Services

Sampling For Disease Identification

1. Collect several specimens showing different stages of disease development. Try to include enough material to show several examples of each symptom.
2. If possible, collect the entire plant, digging rather than pulling to capture the root system. If the entire plant cannot be collected, take samples from affected shoots and take a separate sample of roots. To sample roots of a shrub or tree, dig away from the trunk, near the edge of the canopy. Collect the smaller roots, and any large roots showing symptoms.
3. Sampled plant parts must be alive at the time of collection. Choose samples that show symptoms, but are still living. When sampling roots, try to include the transition zone between healthy and diseased tissue.
4. Take notes at the collection site. Note any patterns in the occurrence of diseased plants, characteristics of the soil, and environmental conditions just prior to development of symptoms.

Packaging your sample

1. For a whole plant sample, enclose the root system in a plastic bag, and secure the bag around the stem to prevent soil from getting on the upper portions of the plant. Then enclose the shoot system in the remainder of the bag or in a separate plastic bag. The entire sample must be sealed for shipping.
2. For a root sample, enclose roots with soil in a self-sealing (zip-lock) bag. If the sample will not be transported to the lab immediately, keep the bag refrigerated from the time of collection until the time of shipping.
3. Fleshy fruits or vegetables, tubers or mushrooms should be wrapped in newspaper, then enclosed in a plastic bag and sealed for shipping.
4. Non-fleshy samples, such as leaves, stems, etc., may be placed directly in self-sealing plastic bags. Pull the sides of the bag apart to allow air into the bag before sealing.
5. Do not enclose paperwork within sample bags. Associated paperwork should be packaged such that it does not come in contact with plant material.
6. Refrigerate samples until they can be shipped or delivered. If using a shipping service, always ship by next day delivery.
7. Sampling kits are available upon request at shipping cost. Please call the laboratory for details.
8. SHIP CONTAINER ON MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY FOR NEXT DAY DELIVERY TO:
   • SAMPLE RECEIVING
   • BBC LABORATORIES
   • 1217 NORTH STADEM DRIVE
   • TEMPE, AZ 85281