Plant Disease Diagnostics Testing

A. Service Overview

Our experts at the ADSC will identify the causal agents of plant diseases, including diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes. Accurate diagnosis is the first step towards safeguarding Hawaii’s agriculture environment. Diagnostic testing results aid growers in selecting effective disease management strategies.

Our lab serves commercial farmers, landscapers, home gardeners, state and federal agencies. We offer both traditional and molecular identification services.

This lab is part of the National Diagnostic Network (NPDN), and aligns its best practices to NPDN accreditation standards. 

The Molokai office will start accepting plant disease samples after April 20.

Farmers affected by the flooding from the Kona low storms in March and April 2026 can receive up to three free tests. Simply confirm you are affected by flooding when ordering services.

Contact your local Extension agent to determine what tests are best for your farm.


B. Pricing


Plant Disease Diagnostic testing

Price Per Sample

General diagnosis
(Isolated from plant tissue or root soil samples)
Free for flood-affected farmers
If testing indicates fungi, nematodes or other issues, additional tests will be done at no cost

$52.00

Nematode Assay

(plant tissue or soil sample)

$54.00

Fungi

$43.00

Virus Testing

(Serological ELISA)

$54.00

Banana Bunchy Top Virus testing (BBTV)

(Isothermal amplification, two samples, positive and negative controls )

$80.00

Additional Sample BBTV test

$17.00

Molecular conventional PCR

$65.00

Molecular qPCR

Coming soon

GMO Papaya testing –GUS Assay

(Two samples, positive and negative controls )

$20.00

Additional sample GMO papaya test

$3.00

Additional sample custom

$5.00

Virus/ Bacterial Seed Testing

(100 seeds, positive and negative controls )

Coming soon

C. How to Collect a Plant Disease Sample

For the most accurate results, please follow these simple steps to ensure your sample arrives at the lab in good condition. If you need more guidance, please review publication, Collecting Plant Disease and Insect Pest Samples for Problem Diagnosis .

  • Pick the Right Plant Parts: Do not send completely dead plants; we cannot conduct diagnostic testing bad samples. Collect plant tissue that is just starting to show symptoms (yellowing, spotting, or wilting) but still also have some healthy tissue attached. This applies to all plant parts, root samples, leaves, and branches etc.
  • Send Enough Material: Submit an adequate amount of plant material. If the whole plant is small, send the entire plant—roots and all. Please limit plant /branch samples to roughly 12 inches or 38 cm in length.
  • Dig, Don't Pull: If you need to send roots, carefully dig the plant out of the ground with a shovel. Pulling the plant, it by the stem can will break off roots tissue we needed for testing.
  • Keep it Clean and Dry:
    • Place your sample in a plastic (Ziploc) bag.
    • Do Not Add Water. Added moisture can cause the sample to decompose in mail. Bad samples can not be used for diagnostic testing and will be reported back to the client as bad sample, no refund will be provided.
    • Put a dry paper towel inside the bag to soak up any natural moisture from the plant.
  • Protect the Roots: If sending a whole plant, wrap the root ball in a separate plastic bag and tie it off at the stem, so the soil doesn't get all over the leaves.
  • Drop off your sample: at an eligible CARES facility early in the week on (Monday or Tuesday). This will prevent your sample from sitting and getting too hot over the weekend at the post office. The CARES facilities centers are closed during state holidays and some federal holidays. Please contact the extension centers office prior to sample drop off to double check hours of operations.

For more specific questions on how to submit sample from large trees or fields please contact the lab via email at Adschilo@hawaii.edu for further assistance.


D. Where to Submit Your Sample