Forms for Disease Sampling
- Fire Blight Submission Form: Complete here
- Fire Blight Sampling Information: Click here
- Apple Scab Submission Form: Complete here
- Apple Powdery Mildew Submission Form: Complete here
Fire Blight Submission Instructions:
Submit fire blight infected trees and strikes for testing
Samples are tested for fire blight bacteria, streptomycin resistance, and strain.
Contact one of the persons below to help you collect samples and take data:
- Isabella Magna Yannuzzi, 845-325-2907, imy3@cornell.edu, Cornell Agritech (Receiving lab)
- Kerik Cox, 315-787-2401, kdc33@cornell.edu, Cornell Agritech (Receiving lab)
- Janet VanZoeren, 585-797-8368, jev67@cornell.edu CCE LOFT, Orleans Office
- Dan Donahue, 518-322-7812, djd13@cornell.edu, CCE ENYCHP, Hudson Valley Lab
- Mike Basedow, 518-410-6823, mrb254@cornell.edu, CCE ENYCHP, Champlain Valley
Samples should be mailed to:
Kerik Cox
Cornell AgriTech
15 Castle Creek Dr.
Geneva, NY 14456
Instructions:
It is only possible to isolate the bacteria (Erwinia amylovora) from fresh, active lesions, where healthy tissue meets the diseased tissue. i.e. the lesion margin.
Sampling the Lesion Margin
Collect samples that include about 3 inches of healthy tissue beyond the infected tissue, and include about 3 inches of infected tissue. Do not submit all the dead branch of the strike, this is often too long and can be cut back, as described. Do not collect entire branches or trees unless symptoms are unusual.
Protect samples from drying out prior to submitting them. If possible, refrigerate them. It is impossible to isolate fire blight bacteria from dead, dried out tissue.
If possible collect samples with active ooze!
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
(Photo Courtesy of J. Carroll)
For more information on sampling for streptomycin resistance testing in fire blight consult “2023 Survey Information” by clicking here