Sampling procedure for fruit trees – laboratory disease determination (fungal & bacterial pathogens)

Summary

This practice abstract outlines how to correctly sample fruit tree tissues for laboratory determination of fungal and bacterial pathogens, addressing the challenge that many fruit tree diseases—such as bacterial canker, cherry leaf spot, and shot hole—produce overlapping visual symptoms, making field diagnosis unreliable. It explains how proper sampling of leaves, shoots, fruits, branches, and buds ensures accurate pathogen identification, which is essential for effective disease management. The guidelines describe how to collect, handle, and package samples so that tissues remain alive, moist, and suitable for analysis, enabling growers to obtain precise diagnoses and implement targeted control strategies to protect orchard health and yield.