The Plant Diseases Clinic was established in March 2011 as a benchmark facility in the European Union funded project (WND-POIG.02.01.00-30-069/09-01) “Laboratory upgrades for better innovation in plant protection research and economy strengthening measures”. The project was implemented as part of Measure 2.1 “Development of sites with high research potential” Priority 2 “R&D Infrastructure”, Innovative Economy Operational Program 2007-2013.

The Clinic is the only such facility in Greater Poland, or anywhere in Poland, to offer services involving:

• biological, serological and molecular identification of pathogens causing viral, bacterial and fungal diseases, and phytoplasmas, in vegetable and other crops;
• the diversification of pathogen populations for improved diagnostics and resistance breeding;
• research on the efficacy of plant pathogen control agents for confined spaces and surface and tool sanitizing.

In addition, the Clinic offers training and consultations for phytosanitary services in the diagnosis of specific plant diseases and advice on plant protection against pathogens.

One of our current priorities is to expand the range of available genetic tests of fungi, in particular with tests for rapid pathogen identification in infected plant tissue and gain the capacity to apply genetic tests for diagnosing the diseases they carry. Research is also under way on genetic factors affecting fungal pathogen resistance to selected fungicides.

SAMPLE PREPARATION FOR SHIPPING

We welcome having test samples shipped to us. It is best to collect an entire plant with roots or any symptomatic plant parts and place them in plastic bags with a sheet of moist filter paper. For virological samples, it is vital to ship young tops of plants, even if asymptomatic.

The sample should come with a duly completed and signed Test Order form. This can be done by either:

1) printing out a Test Order form pdf file, duly filling it out by hand and enclosing it with the sample,
2) creating an account, filling out and printing the Test Order form and enclosing it with the sample.

Option 2 comes with a discount of 5% off the test fee.

Send your properly prepared sample with a completed Test Order form to the Plant Disease Clinic by courier. Please refrain from shipping samples immediately before a weekend.