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Netherlands

Is it possible to have soil tested on possible diseases? I have lost almost everything in the patch to some disease or the other.

It is my first year in this patch. Two cases of root rot and now a squash is spontaneously turning yellow and soft while the vines and plant seem very healthy. Rot on the stems of two pumpkins as well.

If a soil disease test is possible, what should I be looking for?

Not feeling up to losing all of my pumpkins next year due to something in the soil. All of them are between 200 and 700 lbs at the moment.

8/14/2006 12:29:50 PM

ENGLAND

Brad. Although the lab is in Canada this is just what you need. http://www.alcanada.com/ser_PRD.html There is even a Pumpkin shown in the Disease section, just scroll down. I sent a soil sample to the same lab and it was quite painless once one got to understand the Customs Paperwork requirement.

Regards
Mike

8/14/2006 3:37:34 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Soil analysis is really expensive..I'm not talking OM, NPK etc..Tissues samples of somethong growing in the soil in question will be much cheaper...Fresh samples are better so you don't show the secondary rots...good luck!

8/14/2006 4:17:58 PM

Netherlands

I found one here in Holland that does a very extensive analysis - from NPK to trace elements to micro-organism counts - for about $150 US. They do not test for diseases.

Is this expensive?

8/15/2006 1:22:56 AM

nanaimo,B.C,Canada

Hi Brad,that sounds very expensive. I get my soil test every 2 years and it costs me 45 dollars and 55 dollars if I get the test for micro nutrients as well.

Dave

8/15/2006 2:08:06 AM

ENGLAND

I thought it was soil borne diseases you wanted testing for ??
Clip... "Is it possible to have soil tested on possible diseases? I have lost almost everything in the patch to some disease or the other."

Oh well, i tried to help.

Regards
Mike

8/15/2006 7:22:36 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Testing soils for pathogens is extremely expensive compared to mineral content and ferts. The fresh sample of a host plant tissue that has been infected by the pathogen will be far less expensive to diagnose. The fresher the sample, the closer to the infected area, will prove far more cost effective. A lot of times the plant has become weakened by the primary pathogen and secondary infections of other pathogens will occur. So an tissue sample sent at the end of the season may well show a secondary infection becase the primary has run its course. I hope this is making sense.anyway as soon as you see the problem get the sample done don't wait is my point.

8/15/2006 8:24:06 AM

Netherlands

Mike, I looked up your information. It's exactly what I was looking for. I'll try to contact them. I couldn't find one in Holland that tested for diseases yet so the AL just might be the best bet.

Thanks Mike and others.

8/15/2006 9:38:18 AM

ENGLAND

Brad. Pleased i was able to help you. If you contact A&L Canada Laboratory contact the Agronomy & Director Of Food Safety Ian McLachlin and ask for his advise on sending a Soil Sample for Analysis. His direct Email Address is mclachlin@al-labs-can.com I have a set of forms that need to be completed and attached onto the outside of the Soil Sample package when sending it to the lab but there may be different Customs reference numbers for sending from the Netherlands.

Regards
Mike

8/15/2006 4:16:54 PM