Dig, do not pull plants from the soil so diseased roots will remain intact. If the whole plant cannot be sent, select samples from areas of active symptom development. Include the intact root system if root rot is suspected. Plugs should show gradation from healthy to severely diseased. Do not wrap leaves or fleshy material in plastic - use newspaper.
Diseases caused by nematodes require special attention.
See Report on Plant Disease No. 1100 for detailed instructions on the handling and shipping of nematode infested material. Care should be taken to package insects so they arrive unbroken. Be sure to separate and label the insects if two or more are included in the same package and provide appropriate information on each. Adult specimens such as flies, grasshoppers, cockroaches, wasps, butterflies and beetles can be submitted in a dry, crush-proof container. Do not tape insects to paper or place them loose in envelopes.