Sample Collection Guidelines

1.       Select plants that are showing varying degree of symptoms.

2.       Collect whole plants, if possible. Enclose in plastic bags.

3.       Label appropriately (field number etc)

4.       Fill out sample submission form. Describe symptoms and any other information that may be helpful to a laboratory analyst. Pictures of field symptoms may also be sent. Use this completed form as a packing slip.

5.       Ship by express mail. Samples collected on Friday can be stored in refrigerator and shipped on Monday.

International customers:

You will need shipping label from us. Let us know and we will mail the shipping label to you. Shipping label (address label) is placed on the shipping box. In addition, the following documents are placed in an envelope and attached to the shipping box:

a.       Copy of permit (P526P-08-00496)

b.       A statement that phytosanitary certificate is not applicable

c.       Commercial invoice (see an example)

d.       Destination address

Your package will be delivered to a USDA station for inspection and USDA will re-ship to us