PlantClinic in the Royal Botanic Garden houses the Plant Pathology and Mycology research program and the Plant Disease Diagnostic Unit.
The PlantClinic offers a wide range of plant disease diagnostics, pathogen detection and plant DNA identification services to the public, industry and government agencies.
This service is not for profit and all revenue goes towards the PlantClinic service, development of new diagnostic techniques and research into plant diseases that threaten our forests, parks and gardens.
Why?
Plant diseases threaten our biodiversity and have a devastating impact on our native flora and fauna. Diagnostics is the first step in plant disease management and is integral to our future plant health and conservation efforts.
PlantClinic image gallery
Plant diseases
Symptoms
Entire crown affected evenly, with leaf chlorosis, browning or death affecting entire crown evenly (with or without retained leaves) usually with rapid onset.
Possible Causes
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Environmental stress factors e.g. herbicide toxicity, soil pH, drought, water logging
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Mechanical e.g. root severance, soil compaction
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Plant pathogen active in the roots and/or vascular system.
Collect:
Soil
Plantclinic Service: Phytophthora & Pythium
Plant Tissue
Plantclinic Service: Plant Pathogen Detection & Basic Identification
Symptoms
General dieback and decline over a longer period of time, which can be evenly distributed over the entire crown. Results in the characteristic ‘dead top’ often seen in mature trees.
Possible Causes
-
Environmental stress factors e.g. herbicide toxicity, soil pH, drought, water logging
-
Mechanical e.g. root severance, soil compaction
-
Plant pathogen active in the roots and/or vascular system
Collect
Soil
Plantclinic Service: Phytophthora & Pythium
Plant Tissue
Plantclinic Service: Plant Pathogen Detection & Basic Identification