Plant health heroes: Plant Disease Clinic provides guidance on sick houseplants, gardens and crops
November 30, 2023
ANNIE HARVIEUX, PLANT PATHOLOGY
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of plant diseases is a nuanced skill that can be challenging for those not trained in plant pathology. Since 1956, the Plant Disease Clinic (PDC) has provided plant diagnoses to everyone from house plant lovers to commercial farm operators. From oak wilt on a family’s beloved tree to a mystery disease threatening a crop of grains or greenhouse of flowers, the PDC offers expertise to people around the region as they confront complex plant health issues and make decisions to keep their growing practices healthy and sustainable in the future.
“The clinic diagnoses thousands of samples per year submitted by homeowners, government agencies, and private industries in horticulture, landscaping, forestry, and agriculture,” explains clinic director Brett Arenz. “It also serves a vital function in protecting national food biosecurity by acting as the sole surveillance clinic representing Minnesota in the National Plant Diagnostic Network.” Arenz staffs the clinic alongside diagnostician Jennifer Flynn and assistant diagnostician Grace Anderson. Arenz, Flynn, and Anderson are all alumni of CFANS graduate programs—Plant Pathology for Arenz and Anderson, and Applied Plant Science for Flynn.
Have a sick plant at home? Consult the Plant Disease Clinic!
First, take a look at the PDC’s services and fees to see if getting your plant tested will be cost-effective—for example, testing your family’s beloved oak tree is often well worth the modest fee, while a small, inexpensive herb plant is often better to just replace. Then, collect a sample from a living plant that demonstrates the symptoms well, using the PDC’s Submit a Sample tips for guidance. You can deliver your sample on-campus or by mail using the instructions on the PDC submission form.
After a PDC diagnostician examines and tests your sample, they will provide a diagnosis of your plant’s health condition, as well as factsheets with information such as circumstance-based recommendations including how to care for your plant (or similar plants in the future), how to protect nearby plants from contracting the same illness, how to select plant varieties that are less likely to contract illness in the future, and other research-backed, practical guidelines.
In addition to leading the PDC, Arenz is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology, where he is also the Director of Graduate Studies. Arenz was awarded the University’s 2023 Award for Excellence in Academic Service, among other teaching awards. By opening PDC internship opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students, Arenz provides budding plant enthusiasts the opportunity to build knowledge and explore a career path in plant health. Current PhD student Jacob Botkin recalls finding his passion in the PDC:
“I chose the University of Minnesota for graduate school due to the exceptional experience I had as an undergraduate studying Plant Science, and as a young professional in the Department of Plant Pathology. My first internship was at the Plant Disease Clinic in Stakman Hall, where I became fascinated with disease causing microbes, especially fungi, and learned that I have a passion for lab work.”
To learn more about the PDC and to submit or reach out, visit pdc.umn.edu.
