The Plant Diagnostic Clinic at the University of Delaware accepts plant samples showing signs or symptoms of disease. The Clinic is housed in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Delaware in Newark , and operates as a function of Delaware Cooperative Extension.

Nov 18 , 2009 Watch for Pythium Root Rot on Poinsettias Production of poinsettias can be severely affected if Pythium root rot infects the crop.  Symptoms include reduced growth, off color leaves, and wilting of leaves (sometime on one side of the plant).  If plants are pulled out of the pot, roots may look dark and water-soaked.  Sanitation is critical in preventing this disease.  A clean water source is also crucial, do not irrigate with water from ponds or re-use water.  Severely affected plants should be discarded from greenhouses.  Fungicide drenches may help manage Pythium root rot if applied early. Follow this link to general Plant Disease Info General Plant Disease Fact Sheets Review the Sample Submission Guidelines Sample Submission Guidelines Sample Submission Form can be Printed From the Left Menu Late Blight Update 9/30/09 - Although late blight has still been found on tomato in the past few weeks, many are old infections.  Weather has been favorable for the late blight fungus. Remove infected plant tissue from gardens and practice good sanitiation. Late blight, a disease caused by the fungus-like organism Phytophthora infestans, was found in Delaware this season on potato plants, and later found on tomato plants in backyard gardens throughout the state. The source of the infections has not been determined.  There were reports of infected tomato plants having been sold as potted plants in garden centers and retail outlets. The wet weather favored a number of leaf-spotting fungi and bacteria that are commonly found on tomato in our area.   Late Blight on Potato Tomato leaf with late blight (lower leaf surface)   New Fact Sheet on Downy Mildew of Basil Available: 6/29/2009 Nancy Gregory PP-47   Soybean Rust- 2008 Update USDA ipmPIPE Site Photos of Soybean Rust    2008 Delaware Plant Pathology Results and Reports Bulletin 2007 Delaware Plant Pathology Results and Reports Bulletin