PLANT PROTECTION 4

CASE STUDIES
Step 1. The client’s enquiry
These case studies indicate that a preliminary diagnosis of some problems of striking appearance and abundance can
be made at enquiry.
1. WILL MY WEEPING CHERRY TREE DIE?.
A very cross customer wants to know why the
leaves of their expensive weeping flowering
cherry trees are brown and shriveled.
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XPERT -
Preliminary
diagnosis. The problem is caused
by ‘pear and cherry slugs’ which skeletonize
the leaves that then shrivel and die (see page
139). Trees look unsightly. This is a key
problem that occurs every year. The ‘slugs’
pupate in soil and emerging adult sawflies reinfest
the tree. Affected trees do not usually
die. Nurseries note: Advise customers if a
serious pest affects the plants they intend to
purchase.
34 Diagnosis – Step 1. The client’s enquiry
2. YELLOW PASSION FRUIT?.
Home gardener’s passionfruit produced lovely
fruit for years. Recently noticed that some of
the fruit are yellow in colour. Client is
concerned that they have been doing
something wrong.
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Preliminary
REVIEW QUESTIONS & ACTIVITIES
1. Fill in the following for a diagnosis of your choice:
THE CLIENT
Date
Name
Business/home gardener
Address
Suburb, town, postcode
Tel
Fax
Email
THE ENQUIRY
• What is the client worried about?
Identity of plant, weed, insect,
fruiting body.
Effect on crop – economic,
aesthetic.
• What does the client think the
problem is?
• What does the client expect from
you?
Common/scientific name/strains.
Preliminary/definite diagnosis.
How definite and reliable a
diagnosis?
• Attach label to sample (plant, soil,
photo) with information on where,
when and how it was taken.
Step 1. The client’s enquiry
?
diagnosis. Passionfruit vines are
grafted onto vigorous rootstock with tolerance
to soil diseases. It seems that the rootstock
(which produces yellow fruit) has produced
shoots which are growing amongst the main
vine.
2. Provide 3 reasons for keeping permanent
records of the client’s enquiry.
1.
2.
3.
3. Name 3 reasons why telephone enquiries are
very difficult for diagnosticians.
1.
2.
3.
4. Describe 3 ways in which the client can help you
with your diagnosis.
1.
2.
3.
5. List at least 3 common causes of plant problems
in your region at this time of the year.
1.
2.
3.
6. Practice diagnosing selected plant problems at
enquiry participating as:
1. The client
2. The diagnostician