New Reporting Tool Supports Crop Disease Detection

By Scout Nelson

Crop diseases can spread quickly and cause serious losses when they are not identified early. A new online reporting tool gives producers, crop consultants, and homeowners a simple way to report suspected crop diseases across South Dakota.

Madalyn Shires, Assistant Professor & SDSU Extension Plant Pathology Specialist, Connie Strunk, and Connie Tande, encourages farmers timely reporting to improve disease monitoring and help experts respond to potential crop problems.

The tool is available through the Crop Protection Network. It helps collect information about diseases such as Southern Rust, Red Crown Rot, and Tar Spot. Reports help experts understand where diseases are appearing and reduce the chance that important outbreaks are missing.

To make a report, users first visit the Crop Protection Network website and select the Report a Sighting for Crop Lookout option. After choosing South Dakota, they select the affected crop and the suspected disease or crop issue.

The next step is entering the location. Users can allow location services to provide a GPS point or enter the information manually. They then provide crop details and can upload photos and add comments. Only the state and county are required, but additional information and clear photos can help experts confirm the disease.

Submitted information is used only to verify disease reports and determine whether additional samples are needed. Access is limited to verified Extension staff who handle disease confirmation and follow-up.

If a physical sample is needed, producers can take or mail it to the SDSU Plant Diagnostic Clinic. Samples can be dropped off during regular business hours or left in the designated after-hours location. During warm weather, samples should be kept refrigerated.

Online reporting provides an easy way for people involved with crops to support statewide disease tracking. Early reports can help experts identify disease patterns, confirm suspected infections, and provide better information to growers.

Photo Credit: istock-dusanpetkovic