FAQs

1 - How do I know if I have a plant parasitic nematode (PPN) problem? Could my turf issue be something else?

PPNs are abundant and naturally occurring in turf, so to find them in a sample is completely normal. Plant health decline & performance issues can arise when certain types of PPN increase in your turf to critical population levels. Some symptoms you might be able to see by eye that may suggest a problem include shallower rooting, swollen root tips or galls, & root necrosis. On the playing surface you might see signs of wilting in summer matched with limited recovery after irrigation. You might also see chlorosis in patches & turf thinning in localised areas. We would always recommend confirmation of a suspected nematode infection by a trained professional before considering treatment options.

2 - I would like to submit a sample to The Turf Clinic; how do I do that?

Brexit has resulted in some procedural changes for everyone sending samples from outside Northern Ireland: Do not send a sample without the necessary paperwork.

We recommend contacting us in the first instance before sampling, even if you are well experienced in shipping material. This is because an endorsed Letter of Authority (LOA) may now be required (as of 01/01/2021) for your consignment in order to clear customs (this includes mainland GB!). Please also see our FAQ#6.

Our full current Service List & Pricing for 2024-2025 can be found here. We have prepared some guidance on sampling, packaging, & shipping that contains all the information you need and a handy shipping label. To help with customs we have prepared an updated sample submission form and sample invoice template which you can send alongside your samples. 

We cannot guarantee signatures for receipt of samples outside Monday - Friday and apologise for any inconvenience. For urgent queries, & local enquiries on weekends, please contact us directly. Results are usually reported 2-3 days from sample receipt however this ultimately depends on how complex the issues is and the analysis required.

3 - I have a confirmed plant parasitic nematode problem. What could I do immediately to restrict the spread of infection & symptoms worsening?

Guidance will vary on a case-by-case basis depending on the severity (and distribution) of a problem, sample origin, and the time of year. When PPN symptoms show it is usually due to a combination of plant stress and critically high populations, however symptoms can develop some time after peak population levels develop due to damage accumulation over time. While it will not solve the underlying issue completely, short-term immediate options that alleviate plant stress or support root growth can be considered (for example raising the cutting height or reducing physical stress). Cleaning shoes & equipment, as well as minimising traffic over the area will also help reduce spread of some types of nematode.

4 - Do you offer other standard tests (chemical analysis etc)?

Sorry, but we do not offer chemical (nutrient) analysis, physical property testing, or seed purity/germination testing at this time.

In our Turf Clinic we focus on biological features of turf. We offer a routine turf ‘Nematode Damage Index Assessment’ service, and a more comprehensive ‘Investigate Plant Health Decline’ service where we examine turf for fungal, bacterial, & nematode infection altogether. We can also accept, and apply the ‘Investigate Plant Health Decline’ service to, small pieces of plant material from ornamental plants showing symptoms of decline in amenity grounds.

If our Turf Clinic services don’t fit your needs, please contact us as we may be able to provide you with a bespoke solution. Alternatively we may be able to suggest another lab or expert to provide you with what you need.

5 - I’m interested in plant health, trials & research, but I don’t really know where to start; can you help?

Absolutely. There is a place for research & development in every business, large or small, and we would be delighted to support you.

Perhaps you simply want to discuss setting up a trial area for yourself and would like a brief discussion. Maybe you’re interested in how a programme you are following impacts microbial communities in the rootzone. Perhaps you are already a research active company, or in academia, and want to collaborate or receive scientific support/knowledge exchange in a particular process. Feel free to contact us to discuss research opportunities and how we could work together any time!

6 - Can you still offer services outside the United Kingdom post-Brexit?

We value each & every one of our clients, near & far: In short, the answer is YES. We aim to continue offering routine services as before with minimal disruption. Please also see our FAQ #2.

We appreciate that change can be stressful. As the Brexit transition period has now ended we must adopt new processes; there is no way around that. However working with us is still relatively simple and most of the admin in the background has already been taken care of.

We recommend arranging the endorsement of our Letter of Authority (LOA) as early as possible, even if you are not planning on sending material right away. You can request a blank copy from us directly & once it is endorsed you can use it for future submissions for the period it is valid. National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs), the competent authorities that endorse LOAs, can be found here. We can support you to get the paperwork endorsed, but it is ultimately a client’s responsibility. If you are unsure about anything, please ask us.

We are continually monitoring the security of our supply chains, and have contingency measures in place so we can continue working with you as we do now. We often consult with other laboratories & experts, so if we are unable to assist you there is a good chance we can at least make a recommendation.

7 - Are you able to visit sites at the moment?

Please contact us for information & availability.

We may be able to offer support remotely if visiting is not possible.