Strawberry Sample Submission Form
Submitting a strawberry sample? Download and complete this form with grower, crop, and symptom information before sending your sample to the Plant Diagnostic Clinic.
Download the Strawberry Sample Form → Strawberry Samples Form
Other Crop Sample Submission Form
Submitting a sample from another crop? Download and complete this form with crop, symptom, and management information before sending your sample to the Plant Diagnostic Clinic.
Download the Other Crop Sample Form →Other Crop Sample Form
There is a $40 charge per diagnostic sample. A check payable to the University of Florida should be included with sample submission. Diagnostic fees for Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA) members are covered through their membership.
Sample Submission Forms
Strawberry Sample Submission Form
Submitting a strawberry sample? Download and complete this form with grower, crop, and symptom information before sending your sample to the Plant Diagnostic Clinic.
Download the Strawberry Sample Form → Strawberry Samples Form
Other Crop Sample Submission Form
Submitting a sample from another crop? Download and complete this form with crop, symptom, and management information before sending your sample to the Plant Diagnostic Clinic.
Download the Other Crop Sample Form →Other Crop Sample Form
There is a $40 charge per diagnostic sample. A check payable to the University of Florida should be included with sample submission. Diagnostic fees for Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA) members are covered through their membership.
Learn how to collect, prepare, and submit plant samples to help ensure the best possible results from the Plant Diagnostic Clinic.
View Sample Guidelines → Sample Collection & Submission Instructions
Expectations for turnaround time and communication
Turnaround time varies depending on the condition of the sample and the diagnostic methods required.
For strawberry samples, preliminary results may be available within 24–48 hours for samples using rapid molecular diagnostic methods, while diagnoses requiring pathogen isolation, culturing, or additional testing may take longer, usually 5 to 7 days. Clients are contacted by email with diagnostic results and relevant updates. Additional information or samples may be requested by phone when needed.
Services may include:
- Evaluation of plant symptoms and signs
- Microscopic examination for disease-causing organisms
- Isolation and identification of fungal and oomycete pathogens
- Evaluation and identification of bacterial pathogens
- Molecular diagnostic testing for selected pathogens
- Confirmation of suspected plant diseases
- Consultation with UF/IFAS specialists when additional expertise is needed
Common Issues We Diagnose
Samples submitted to the clinic commonly include plants affected by root, crown, vascular, foliar, flower, and fruit diseases. Examples include wilts, root and crown rots, leaf spots, blights, fruit rots, and other disorders potentially associated with fungal, bacterial, or oomycete pathogens.
The clinic primarily serves commercial agricultural and horticultural production systems, with particular expertise in:
- Strawberries and other small fruits
- Vegetable crops
- Ornamental plants
- Other specialty crops grown in Florida
The clinic's primary role is plant disease diagnosis. Services generally do not include:
- Routine soil or plant tissue nutrient analysis
- Pesticide residue testing
- Human or animal health diagnostics
- Regulatory certification or official phytosanitary testing
- Pesticide recommendations or approvals outside UF/IFAS guidance
- Guaranteed identification when samples are insufficient, severely deteriorated, or lack appropriate symptoms
- Samples requiring services outside the clinic's scope may be referred to another UF/IFAS laboratory, specialist, or appropriate regulatory agency.
Plant Clinics in Action
Learn how rapid, accurate disease diagnosis helps Florida growers respond to crop diseases following hurricanes and severe weather, including how the GCREC Plant Diagnostic Clinic helped strawberry growers identify and manage crown rot following Hurricane Milton.
Read the UF/IFAS Story Here
Fast, Accurate Disease Diagnosis for Strawberry Growers
Learn how UF/IFAS plant pathologists at the GCREC Plant Diagnostic Clinic provide rapid disease diagnosis for strawberry growers in Florida and across the country, including efforts to identify Fusarium wilt and help growers respond quickly.
Read the UF/IFAS Story Here
For questions about sample submission, diagnostic services, or an existing sample, please contact the GCREC Plant Diagnostic Clinic during regular business hours.
Phone: (813) 419-6599
Email: ufgulfcoastpdc@ifas.ufl.edu
Address: 14625 County Road 672, Wimauma, FL 33598
When following up on a submitted sample, please provide the grower or submitter name, crop, and sample information to help us locate your submission. For questions before submitting, we encourage you to contact the clinic or your local UF/IFAS Extension agent for guidance on collecting and submitting the most appropriate sample.
