LSU AgCenter plant diagnostician Raghuwinder Singh inspects a plant for possible disease at the Plant Diagnostic Center on the LSU campus. The center is open to the public, and Singh tries to answer all plant health-related questions. (Photo by Johnny Morgan. Click of photo for downloadable image.)

As gardening activities increase, home gardeners and landscapers may become concerned with problems on their plants.

LSU AgCenter plant diagnostician Raghuwinder Singh says the answers to plant health-related problems in the garden and turf are just a click or a phone call away.

The LSU AgCenter’s Plant Diagnostic Center has been answering questions for individuals and commercial operators with plant disease problems since 2010.

The newly enhanced center is a one-stop-shop for all your health-related problems. Whether it’s an insect problem, a weed problem, a nematode problem or a plant disease problem, the center can provide the answers, according to Singh. There’s no longer a need to wonder where to go to get information about plant health issues.

“I have a plant pathology background, an entomology background, as well as soil science and weed science,” Singh said. “So if a plant comes in, I work like a human doctor to try to find what’s wrong with it. It could be plant pathogens, insect pests or mites, or it could be a soil-related problem.

“I try to diagnose all the problems that come in, but if I can’t, I send it to someone who can,” he added. The center has a team of specialists that include plant pathologists, nematologist, entomologist, horticulturists and weed scientists.

“Our diagnostic center is here to diagnose plant health problems, and we are open to the public,” he said. “If you suspect there’s a problem, you can bring a sample to your local LSU AgCenter county agent, or you can contact us directly, and we’ll make a diagnosis.”

The cost of having a routine diagnostic test run at the center is $20, and the costs of more advanced tests usually range from $40-$100.

At upcoming garden shows around the state, visitors will have an opportunity to meet the staff of the center and get answers to their plant health-related questions.

“All the garden shows have a plant health clinic booth, and we go to try and advertise the center there,” Singh said. “We also look at the plants some of the attendees bring in to diagnose their problem.”

In addition to the center being a place for consumers and contractors to bring their plants for diagnosis, it’s also on the front line in the nation’s fight against bioterrorism.

“We are part of the National Plant Diagnostic Network, which has as its mission national agricultural security, which prevents bioterrorism,” Singh said. “Once I diagnose a problem, I send the results to the client, but I also send that information to the national plant diagnostic database so we have a record of all activity.”

Additional information on the LSU AgCenter Plant Diagnostic Center can be found online at www.LSUAgCenter.com/plantdiagnostics.