The Plant Diagnostic Laboratory was established in 1979 to support Maryland Cooperative Extension Service programs in agriculture and horticulture. The lab diagnoses diseases on all crops. Lab staff also conduct educational programs on plant pathology topics and write fact sheets and other materials to assist growers in plant disease control. All Maryland residents may submit samples. Priority is placed on specimens from Cooperative Extension Service educators and commercial growers.
Low priority is placed on home garden samples.
No fee is charged for samples from Maryland Extension faculty or Maryland growers. However, these submitters may be requested to pay the cost of tests conducted by outside commercial testing labs. The laboratory diagnoses diseases on all crops. Most diagnoses are based on microscopic examination of the specimen and visual identification or culture of plant pathogens such as fungi, bacteria and nematodes. Identifications of plants, insects and mites attacking plants and fungal structures associated with plant diseases are done.