Sampling

Sending Turfgrass Samples to OSU Plant & Pest Clinic 

Knowing how to properly submit a turfgrass sample to the C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic can help in the easy and speedy diagnosis of the problem. Samples can be submitted that have come from golf courses, athletic fields and residential lawns. If a problem is suspected, send a sample from the declining area as soon as the symptoms begin. Use the following steps to ensure you have the correct sample, packaging, forms and shipping information.

Step 1: Collect the Sample

For “high cut turf ” such as residential lawns, athletic fields, parks, commercial sites and sod farms use a shovel, spade or knife to collect the turf sample. Collect a sample that is at least 6 inches by 6 inches and 2-3 inches deep.
  Often it is advised to send multiple sections of healthy and infected turf and these may be strips of turf say 6” x 3” with the roots. It is important that the specimen include both healthy (unaffected) and sick (infected) tissue. So a comparison of the healthy grass to the affected areas can be made. 
  If you are taking a sample from a golf course, a cup cutter is an essential tool. Use the cup cutter to collect a sample or several to depict the affected and unaffected turf. If there are various stages of decline, include samples to illustrate the progression of symptoms. 
  Make sure the samples are clearly labeled to note different sites and different stages of the problem. For both high cut turf and golf course samples, be sure the sample includes roots. A lot of people might not think about the environment beneath the ground, but it can have a huge influence on the health of a plant. 

Step 2: Complete the Diagnostic Form

It is important that the sample form be filled out as detailed as possible. Include information such as: environmental factors, weather data (temperatures and rain fall), who is using the turf, symptoms, shape and size of the patches, amount or size of affected area, when the problem began, has this problem occurred in the past, is the area irrigated, is the problem worse in the sun or shade, chemicals applied (rate and formulation), were growth regulators used, etc. 

The turf sample form, as well as other landscape and plant forms, can be found at http://ppdc.osu.edu. It is recommended that you send pictures of the area. These can greatly assist the diagnostician. The more information you provide the more complete the reply will be from the diagnostician. Place the form and photos in a plastic bag to prevent moisture from damaging the papers. Place it on top of the sample and seal the box tightly.

Step 3: Packaging

The way your sample is packaged can have a large impact on what the diagnosticians will be seeing when they open your package. Wrap your sample tightly in aluminum foil or newspaper. This will keep the soil (root zone material) from moving and getting on the leaves. When soil covers the leaves this makes diagnosis difficult and can cause contamination with other microbes that might be in the soil. Do not add water to the sample and do not put the sample in a plastic bag. If samples are too wet the turf will rot and made diagnosis impossible. Choose a sturdy box and pack newspaper or bubble wrap around the sample to ensure it will not move around or break apart.

Step 4: Shipping

It is essential that the sample be shipped overnight so a fresh, representative sample arrives at the clinic. It is hard to diagnose a sample that is completely dead or deteriorated while in shipment. DO NOT send samples on a Friday, the box will sit in a warehouse over the weekend and deteriorate. Send early in the week to ensure the package arrives in the clinic quickly. The address for the Turf clinic is:

  Ohio Turfgrass Research Center C/O Todd Hicks 
2710 North Star Rd
Columbus, OH 43221

 


Following these steps can help the diagnostician to correctly diagnosis the problem(s) and provide you with an accurate prompt response. There is a fee for diagnostic work at the C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Clinic. Prices can be found at http://ppdc.osu.edu. If you have questions regarding a sample you can contact the staff at 614-292-5006, fax 614-292-4455 or email, ppdc@postoffice.ag.ohio-state.edu.
 
Also visit the clinic web site at http://ppdc.osu.edu and The Department of Plant Pathology’s web site at http://plantpath.osu.edu for more information of plant diseases.


Submitting a golf course turf sample

 

 

Submitting a residential turf sample

 

Attachment: PPDC Turf Form 03-24-2021