Plant and Pest Diagnostics

MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics (MSU PPD) is a multidisciplinary lab centrally located in the CIPS building on the south end of campus.  The lab specializes in plant pathology, entomology, nematology and weed science.   

Clients include growers, residents, nursery and landscape professionals, agribusiness specialists, county extension and campus specialists, pest control personnel and regulatory agencies. 

The lab accepts plants and plant tissue for pathogens, nematode and insect analysis, plant identification and herbicide resistance testing.  There are some services not offered in MSU PPD. These include soil and plant nutrient testing, mushroom identification, testing of household mold or pesticide residue, and examination of bites or skin irritation on humans or animals.

For a complete list of services offered and sampling instructions refer to pestid.msu.edu .  If you need further assistance, contact the lab at 517-432-0988.

The lab has five diagnosticians and one support staff member.  Expanding its reach even further, MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics is a member of the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN), which provides backing to labs across the country. NPDN, supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, divides the nation into five regions, each having a hub location. MSU serves as the hub of the North Central Plant Disease and Pest Diagnostic Network (NCPDN).

Lab members and areas of expertise listed below.

Jan Byrne, Plant Pathology Diagnostician
Laura Miles, Molecular Plant Pathology Diagnostician
Sarah Hughson, Insect/Arthropod Diagnostician
Angela Tenney, Nematode Diagnostician, Plant Identification
Erin Hill, Weed Diagnostician
Jackie Smith, Diagnostic Technician, Billing Coordinator

 

 

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