Detecting Plant Diseases in the Lab

The Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Hermiston, Oregon has a full- service, plant pathology diagnostic lab that serves the growing needs of the agricultural community in the Columbia Basin. The lab receives all types of plant disease samples including diseases of potatoes and other vegetables, trees, and ornamentals, and diseases spread by insect vectors. We use a variety of testing methods, ranging from traditional culturing techniques for fungi and bacteria to advanced molecular techniques that use pathogen DNA sequences to identify pathogens and diagnose diseases. The Hermiston Agricultural Research & Extension Center is located at 2121 South First Street in Hermiston, Oregon. Office hours are 8:00am - 5:00pm, Monday - Friday, closed during the lunch hour, noon - 1:00pm. http://extension.oregonstate.edu/umatilla/ipm

Hand holding a diseased plant with person looking on

Want to learn more about this topic? Explore more resources from OSU Extension: Plant Diseases

Was this page helpful?

Related Content from OSU Extension

What’s lurking beneath the forest floor?

When insects and disease enter a forest, the damage isn’t always obvious at first. By the time damage is visible, it might be too late to combat the issue. This can be especially challenging for landowners dealing with root diseases.

Alicia Christiansen | Mar 2023 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Solve Pest and Weed Problems website gives gardeners solutions

The content – peer reviewed by the OSU Department of Horticulture – is presented in categories with information below each photo. Clicking on the photo takes users to another page that offers information about identification, ...

Mar 2023 | Impact story

Predicting and Managing Gray Mold Rot of Pear in Oregon

This publication describes gray mold disease symptoms and the disease cycle and outlines a model that can help pear packers predict the relative risk of gray mold development in stored fruit before the fruit is placed in cold storage.

Steve Castagnoli | Jan 2010 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Pear Scab in Oregon: Symptoms, Disease Cycle and Management

This publication gives a concise description of the causes, symptoms, and disease cycle of pear scab. It also describes the OSU-MCAREC three-part model to predict scab risk and help time fungicide sprays. Integrating nonchemical ...

Steve Castagnoli | May 2010 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Is tobacco dangerous for my garden?

I'm interested in planting a tobacco plant in my home garden from seed. I've heard of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and how it can spread from the fingers of someone who has handled tobacco or from insects between infected ...

Jay W. Pscheidt | Aug 2020 | Featured question

Luisa Santamaria helps Hispanic nursery workers

Luisa Santamaria is an Oregon State University Extension plant pathologist at North Willamette Research and Extension Center. Her Extension and outreach program is bilingual education for nurseries and greenhouse workers. Read the full...

Luisa Santamaria | Mar 2015 | Video

Bacterial Canker of Sweet Cherry in Oregon

Bacterial canker is the number one killer of young sweet cherry trees in Oregon. This publication covers cause and symptoms, disease cycle, and disease management. Click the "view it now" button to view or download a ...

Lynn Long, Jay W. Pscheidt | May 2010 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Integrated Clubroot Control Strategies of Brassicas: Nonchemical Control Strategies

Clubroot (causal organism, Plasmodiophora brassicae) is a major soilborne disease of brassica crops in the Willamette Valley. It’s incidence and severity is increasing due to a high demand for brassicas that has resulted in more...

Aaron Heinrich, Alexandra Stone, Dan M. Sullivan, Ed Peachey | Aug 2016 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Silver Scurf Management in Potatoes

Describes the symptoms and damage caused by silver scurf, a fungal disease of potatoes. Includes color photos of symptoms. Discusses sources of inoculum and the disease life cycle. Suggests management practices (seed selection, crop...

Phil Hamm | Apr 2013 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Climate change anomaly intensifies Swiss needle cast in some Douglas-fir forests

The fungal disease reacts favorably to the wet, foggy environment on the west slope of the Oregon Coast Range.

Kym Pokorny | Dec 18, 2018 | News story

OSU researchers propose CRISPR as influencer of low genetic diversity in deadly bacteria

Scientists at Oregon State University have shed light on the evolutionary history of a soil-borne bacteria that is so dangerous to grazing animals it is kept behind lock-and-key to prevent its spread.

Chris Branam | Oct 18, 2018 | News story

Genetic behavior reveals cause of death in poplars essential to ecosystems, industry

Scientists studying the valuable, but vulnerable, black cottonwood poplar have identified the genetic mechanism responsible for the species’ inability to resist a pervasive and deadly disease.

Chris Branam | Oct 25, 2018 | News story

Dig into hundreds of publications from OSU Extension online catalog

Have a gardening question? Find an answer in one of OSU Extension's publications.

Kym Pokorny | Nov 22, 2019 | News story

New Extension website helps solve pest and disease problems

Solve Pest and Weed Problems focuses specifically on the Pacific Northwest and prioritizes low-risk approaches.

Kym Pokorny | Nov 11, 2022 | News story

Eyespot of Wheat: How to identify and control this common fungal disease

Eyespot is a fungal disease that causes losses of up to 50 percent in winter wheat fields. The disease is also called strawbreaker foot rot. Learn the steps you can take to keep eyespot of wheat from infecting fields, and to limit its spread.

Christina Hagerty, Duncan Kroese | Mar 2019 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

2023 Pest Management Guide for Wine Grapes in Oregon

Learn the most effective techniques for controlling insects, weeds and disease on wine grapes in Oregon. This comprehensive publication for growers covers strategies for controlling powdery mildew, botrytis bunch rot and spider mites,...

Patricia A. Skinkis, Jay W. Pscheidt, Achala KC, Marcelo Moretti, Vaughn Walton, Cody Copp | Feb 2023 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

The Economic Impact of Pests and Pest Management on Oregon Sweet Cherries

A collection of real-world data show how insects, diseases, weeds and other pests affected the 2016 Oregon cherry crop. The aim is to raise yields and inform growers about the causes of crop losses.

Katie Murray, Paul Jepson, Hang-Kwang Luh, Chris Hedstrom | Dec 2022 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Episode 28: Christmas Trees

In this episode, Jacob Putney and Chal Landgren discuss the history and science behind growing Christmas trees in Oregon. Landgren is the former OSU Extension Christmas Tree Specialist.

Jacob Putney, Chal Landgren | Dec 2022 | Podcast episode

Have a question? Ask Extension!

Ask Extension is a way for you to get answers from the Oregon State University Extension Service. We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening.

Ask us a question