Small Grain Disease Forecasting Models

Sampling for Pathogens

Sampling the air for fungal spores is done by samplers purchased from Burkard Manufacturing in Great Britain with funding from the North Dakota State Board of Agricultural Research, the Otto Bremer Foundation and the Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council. Each sampler was installed in a field containing wheat stubble near an NDAWN weather station and is visited three times a week for sample collection and maintenance.

Air samplers work on the principle of cyclonic air flow. Air is drawn through a small opening at 35 cubic feet per hour (16.5 Ltrs/min) and spun into a miniature cyclone. Particles are collected directly into a vial where they can be transferred to the laboratory for examination. This durable instrument offers high efficiency sampling over long periods without overloading or loss of material.

Small Grain Disease Forecasting Home
Plant Pathology Department,
North Dakota State University, 306 Walster Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5012
Web Site:  http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu   Email:  forecast@ndsuext.nodak.edu