Pest Management & Crop Protection
Plant Disease Identification Guide
Use this plant disease identification guide to work through symptoms step by step, narrowing down likely causes before you pick a control or send a sample to a diagnostic lab.
GuidePest Management & Crop ProtectionFree PDF
The steps on this page
- Record the crop and growth stage
- Describe where symptoms first appeared
- Note pattern across the field
- Examine leaves, stems and roots
- Look for spores, ooze or fungal growth
- Rule out nutrient and weather injury
- Compare with a trusted disease reference
- Send a sample if unsure
How to use this guide
Follow the steps in order and write down any changes you make. Where your equipment or product has instructions, those come first.
Where to check the details
This sheet is a general template, so confirm specifics with your own manuals, labels and local rules. For current official guidance, start with eXtension and USDA APHIS.
For more in this area, see the Crop Calendar. Between chores, farm.FM has farm humor, including Dairy Farm Electricity Costs Soar; Milking Parlor Applies for Its Own Power Plant, and farming farm stories.