What if there were 50 Extension professionals at your local Extension Office that could help diagnose your plant or pest problems? With a range of expertise that included: field crops, forages, turf, fruit, commercial vegetables and home pest problems.
University of Illinois Extension’s Distance Diagnostics system makes it possible by bringing every extension office in the state almost instant access to the diagnostic skills of these experts.
Using digital imaging equipment local office staff can take
high quality images of plant and pest problems. The images along with
background information about the problem are submitted to the Distance
Diagnostics system. The appropriate experts are instantly sent email
messages that a new sample has been submitted.
No matter where they are, if they can get their email, they can make
a diagnosis. Rapid diagnosis is often critical in preventing losses and
in providing peace of mind. Last year, 22% of the samples were diagnosed within
2 hours of submission and 77% within 48 hours.
The system is now in its sixth year of statewide operation and to
date over 6265 samples have been submitted.
This service is free through your local Extension Office. Some samples may require
further examination or culture work (nominal fee involved) at the U of IL
Plant Clinic (http://plantclinic.cropsci.uiuc.edu).
Additional Resources:
Project Coordinator Dennis Bowman
Extension Educator, Crop Systems
217/333-4901
ndbowman@uiuc.edu
University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.
