Traditional and Digital Diagnostic Tools for the Horticulture Trade

How adept are you and your staff at accurately identifying plant problems and pest issues? Can you determine what causes leaf damage, for example?

Many plant and pest problems can be accurately diagnosed with the naked eye. Others are more elusive and must be confirmed with additional diagnostic tools and/or assistance. What tools are in your diagnostic toolbox? A recent e-GRO alert from Beth Scheckelhoff of The Ohio State University outlines a few basic diagnostic tools to consider including in your toolbox.

• Magnifiers. One of the most essential diagnostic tools is the loupe or magnifier. This simple tool can be carried in your pocket or around your neck. Loupes are designed to be held or worn close to your eye and are used for reading small print, examining jewelry, and viewing plants and insects.
• Traditional Microscopes. For general diagnostics such as insect or disease identification, a dissecting (also called stereo) microscope is often used. Dissecting scopes are versatile and offer three-dimensional images at low magnification (usually 5 to 45x).
• Digital Microscopes. The digital microscope is one of the best tools to aid in pest identification. Digital scopes with varying magnification, portability, and image properties are readily available online, and are often marketed for jewelry, coin, or electronics inspection. Magnification can vary in price, but overall they provide a cost-effective tool for those working in the green industry.
• Handheld Electronic Devices. Nearly everyone has access to a digital camera or tablet, or mobile device equipped with a camera and video capabilities. Image quality and the ability to take close-up images with these devices has improved tremendously over the years. In fact, many people forgo owning a digital camera and simply use their phone for capturing images. These devices are important for documenting and sharing images of issues found in the greenhouse or field.
• Diagnostic Labs. Not all plant pests or plant problems can be diagnosed on-site. In many cases, samples must be collected and sent to a diagnostic lab for analysis. All US states have at least one plant and pest diagnostic lab associated with a land-grant university. To find a diagnostic lab near you, please visit the National Plant Diagnostic Network at http://www.npdn.org. There are private labs that also provide fee-based sample evaluation and diagnostics. It is a good idea to identify a diagnostic lab you can contact or send samples to when needed.