Turf samples for fungal disease analysis
A ‘SAMPLE’ may contain one or more pieces of turf but as long as they are all taken from the same local area (i.e. golf Green, sports Pitch), they will be treated as one sample.
It is important that examples of all developing symptoms are received.
If you are in any doubt about what to send in, please contact me.
Sampling procedure
Fungal disease can develop rapidly and as the turf decays, it becomes increasingly colonised by a variety of fungi and bacteria.
These secondary infections can hinder diagnosis of the initial problem.
Send samples of the turf that show new or recent symptom development and wrap the samples to keep the sward clear of rootzone contamination.
- Use a golf hole-changer to take a sample from the leading edge of the symptoms
- The core sample should be taken to at least 8cm depth or to include the root tips if deeper than 8cm
- Place some paper towel on the sward and wrap the whole sample tightly in dry newspaper.
The sample can be further wrapped in aluminium (kitchen) foil to help keep the profile intact during shipment
- LABEL THE SAMPLE so that you will know which area the results relate to
- Pack the samples TIGHTLY inside a cardboard box using bubble wrap or similar packing material
- Enclose your contact details and general information on symptom development
- Send the sample by 1 to 2 day delivery and email photographs of the symptoms
Many fungal disease problems can be assessed using small core samples – so we can work with what you are able to send
Turf samples for free-living plant parasitic nematode analysis
Important This analysis does not guarantee that materials are ‘nematode free’.
If you require a ‘nematode free’ analysis, please contact me.
It is possible to identify the presence of plant parasitic nematodes in any size sample of turf as long as the sample does not dry out during shipment.
However, determining their relative populations is best completed on a sample containing several small diameter cores rather than a single core sample1.
Isolation of the nematodes prior to analysis depends on them being alive and able to move through a permeable barrier.
Dead nematodes cannot be assessed.
If you are in any doubt about what to send in, please contact me.
Sampling procedure
Most turf parasitic nematodes feed on or within roots but some will be present inside the leaf or crown tissues.
For that reason, it is important to send samples that contain plant material as well as rootzone so that a complete result can be provided.
Nematode populations develop as ‘hot spots’ across a given turf area and it is important to sample randomly to obtain meaningful results.
- Small diameter cores (approx. 1cm diameter) are ideal for nematode analysis samples
- Take multiple cores, randomly, from across and around affected turf areas (as shown on the photographs below) and put all material inside a plastic bag
- Take cores to a depth that is just below the root tip development and enough cores to provide a total sample volume of approximately 300ml
- Seal the plastic bag to prevent the sample from drying out and label the sample so that you will know which area the result relates to
- Pack the sample tightly inside a cardboard box using bubble wrap or similar packing material.
This is very important because some nematodes are susceptible to sudden impact and could be killed during shipment.
Dead nematodes can’t be assessed!
- Enclose your contact details and general information on symptom development
- Send the sample by 1 to 2 day delivery and email photographs of the symptoms
1Single hole changer core samples are requested if an extended rootzone analysis is going to be completed at depth intervals through the rootzone profile.
If you would like to discuss this, please contact me directly.
