How to submit your sample

• SAMTRACK - Sending/Tracking samples
• Preparing your sample
• Sample submission forms
• Where to send your samples
• Pricing and payment
• Turnaround times
• Receiving your results

SAMTRACK - register to send your sample & track your results

SamTrack is our free and secure on-line sample tracking system, giving quick & easy access to your sample information.

Register on SamTrack to send your sample, once you've registered, you will receive a unique username and password along with instructions on how to use the system.

Using SamTrack gives up-to-the-minute information, 24 hours a day. You can...

• Check when we have received your sample
• Check who is dealing with your sample
• Check what pests and diseases have been identified
• See a summary of all the samples you've sent to us
• Access information outside normal working hours

Visit the SamTrack website and register now

Preparing your sample

How to select your sample

Please consider the following points when selecting you sample as it provides the key for diagnosis:

• Try to send a sample that is representative of the problem - we need to see the full range of symptoms
• For diseases, try to include the boundary between healthy and diseased tissue and where possible, include healthy material for comparison
• If symptoms on leaves or shoots show general discoloration or dieback, suggesting possible root damage, then please send us a whole plant (where possible) and include the roots and surrounding soil
• If you suspect the problem is due to nematodes, please include separate soil samples from both the affected area and the edge of the affected area

How to package your sample

Please follow packing guidelines to ensure sample is fit for testing on arrival.

Whole plants	Enclose moist root ball in a plastic bag sealed around the plant stem. Place the whole plant in a second plastic bag, inflate slightly and seal.
Leaves and shoots
Virus diagnosis:	Place in a plastic bag, inflate slightly and seal.
Other/unknown diagnosis:	Wrap sample in slightly moist absorbent paper, place in a plastic bag, inflate slightly and seal.
Fleshy items	For example: fruit, vegetables, tubers (except potatoes), bulbs, corms, etc. Wrap in dry, absorbent paper, if rotting/breaking down please wrap individually. Place in a plastic bag, inflate slightly and seal.
Invertebrate pests	Samples of invertebrate pests (insects, spiders, mites etc.) should be put in a sealed plastic container.
Potato tubers
Invertebrate diagnosis:	Wrap in dry, absorbent paper. Place in a plastic bag, inflate slightly and seal.
Other/unknown diagnosis:	Wrap in dry, absorbent paper. Do not place in a plastic bag.
Soil samples	For nematode analysis. Place about 500g of soil in a strong plastic bag and seal

Sample submission forms

All samples should be put in a strong cardboard box and packed securely with screwed up paper. Include your sample submission form in a separate bag and seal the box.

• Sample submission form

For potato samples - please download, complete and send with your samples an Application form for post-harvest testing of potato tubers.

For strawberry samples - please download, complete and send with your samples an Application for testing of Strawberry Plants.

Where to send your samples

Postal Address:

Plant Clinic
The Food and Environment Research Agency
Sand Hutton
York
Y041 1LZ
United Kingdom

Contact details:

Customer helpline: +44 (0) 1904 462324

Email:

Ideally, samples should be dispatched by either express courier service or first-class post to arrive at Fera next day. Try to avoid sending samples over the weekend or a bank holiday.

Pricing and payment

We will invoice you once you have received your results. Our price list can be found at Plant Clinic prices.

Turnaround time

We undertake to get back to you within 3 working days from receipt of sample. In most cases we can give an indication of the problem within 24 hours.

Accelerated services - In some cases we can provide more rapid diagnostic solutions, if required, at extra cost. Contact us to discuss your accelerated diagnostic needs and schedule.

Receiving your results

Results can be sent to you via SamTrack, e-mail, fax or post. Please specify preference on sample submission form.