COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Plant Diagnostic Clinic will offer Missouri producers free testing for five wheat viruses during 2024, says Peng Tian, director of the clinic.

The clinic will test for wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV), wheat spindle streak mosaic virus (WSSMV), soil-borne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV), barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) and cereal yellow dwarf virus (CYDV).

A partnership with the MU Extension Field Crop Pathology programs allows tests to be free. Usually the service fee is $65 per sample, says Tian.

“With this service, we hope to collect information on both wheat variety and disease incidences in Missouri and help growers better prepare for controlling detected diseases the following season,” says Tian. “In addition, the symptomatic plant samples will be used to develop innovative diagnostic methods for virus testing and identify new viruses such as high plain virus and triticum mosaic virus.”

When submitting samples for virus tests, include an address and wheat variety for each sample. It is important to follow the sample collection and submission guidelines to ensure sample quality, says Tian. For information about collecting and submitting samples, visit the MU Plant Diagnostic Clinic website at http://muext.us/PlantClinic.