• Provide plenty of plant material. When possible send the entire plant, including roots and top growth.
• Provide lots of information, such as a description of the soil, nearby plants, cropping history, pattern of symptoms in the field, and a history of the problem. Remember to include information about chemicals used.
• Include photos when possible.
• Provide freshly collected specimens.
• Be sure the specimen represents the problem.
• Include enough plant material to show all stages of the disease from healthy to very sick.
• Wrap specimens in paper towels or clean newspapers. Do not add moisture. Pack loosely in a plastic bag to reduce drying.
• Mail in a sturdy container.
• A $10 fee is charged for plant samples. Soil samples (to check for soybean cyst nematode) cost $15 for Iowa residents and $20 for out-of-state residents. Checks should be made payable to Iowa State University.
• Please submit samples with the appropriate forms:
  • plant sample form [1]
  • soil samples for soybean cyst nematode [2]

*When herbicide injury is suspected, the samples should go to the extension weed specialists [3].

[4]

Corn smut galls on corn.