Late Blight Sample Collection and Submission to Cornell
Margie Lund, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program
If late blight is detected or suspected on your farm, and you cannot get a sample to a Cornell Vegetable Program staff member in a day or two, you should submit your sample to Chris Smart's lab at Cornell. Following are instructions for reporting, collecting and mailing samples to his lab.
From usablight.org:
Samples must be reported online and a form that is generated from your submission must be included with the sample. You will receive a sample number (which should be written on the sample bag when it is sent to the lab), and this number can be used to track your sample.
Report online and fill out a form. (If you are new to the system you must Register for Sample Submission BEFORE Reporting.)
When sending late blight samples it is better to send leaf tissue rather than fruit or tubers. If you do send fruit or tubers send them in a separate bag or shipment -- so they do not crush the leaf tissue in transit. What to send:
1. A minimum of 5 fresh turgid leaves with actively sporulating lesions. Smaller lesions are best. Collected from several locations when possible.
2. Place the foliage in an air-tight dry plastic (Ziploc) bag with a cushion of air - so the foliage doesn't get crushed. Use a small shipping box rather than an envelope. PLEASE write the sample number on the bag.
3. Send the sample immediately upon collection. If you must "hold" the sample overnight, keep it at 40 - 50 F.
4. Include the completed sample submission form (see instructions for reporting sample online) in the box with the sample.
5. Mail the sample via overnight mail to:
Cornell AgriTech
Attn: Colin Day / Chris Smart
630 West North St, Barton Laboratory
Geneva, NY 14456
E-mail: cds14@cornell.edu
Phone: 315-787-2441
Asparagus
Beets
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cucumbers
Dry Beans
Eggplant
Ethnic Vegetables
Garlic
Horseradish
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce / Leafy Greens
Melons
Onions
Parsnips
Peas
Peppers
Potatoes
Pumpkins / Gourds
Radishes
Rhubarb
Rutabaga
Snap Beans
Squash - Summer
Squash- Winter
Sweet Corn
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Turnips
Upcoming Events
Chautauqua Produce Auction Vegetable Growers Meeting
July 9, 2024
Conewango Valley, NY
A field walk will include aggressive pepper anthracnose, potato management, slugs, corn earworm, and more. 2.0 DEC credits in categories 1a and 23 (veg).
WNY Vegetable Summer Field Walk
July 10, 2024
Lyndonville, NY
An IPM focused crop walk including high tunnel tomato production with Judson Reid, slug control, vine crops production, and information on a new disease of peppers. 2.0 DEC credits will be available in categories 1a and 23.
Vegetable Pest and Cultural Management Field Meetings for Auction Growers
July 12, 2024 : Yates County
Himrod, NY
A hands-on demonstration of weed, insect and disease identification in vegetables including management options such as inter-row cover crops, grafting and where appropriate, spray options will be used to educate growers. Details on each topic will focus on field observations at the farm. 1.75 DEC credits in categories 10, 1a, 23, and 24.
July 16, 2024 : Ontario County
Stanley, NY
A hands-on demonstration of weed, insect and disease identification in vegetables including management options such as inter-row cover crops, grafting and where appropriate, spray options will be used to educate growers. Details on each topic will focus on field observations at the farm. 1.75 DEC credits in categories 10, 1a, 23, and 24.
July 24, 2024 : Seneca County
Romulus, NY
A hands-on demonstration of weed, insect and disease identification in vegetables including management options such as inter-row cover crops, grafting and where appropriate, spray options will be used to educate growers. Details on each topic will focus on field observations at the farm. 1.75 DEC credits in categories 10, 1a, 23, and 24.