Plant Clinic

Fera's Plant Clinic is the largest in the UK. Our work supports healthy plants and crops, increasing sustainable food production and protecting the environment.

Begin a partnership you can trust to support your growth and keep you one step ahead

Our crop testing and molecular facilities deliver expert diagnostics on a range of plant issues from all over the world. We have extensive expertise in the fields of bacterial, fungal, viral, insect and nematode identification.

Our experienced team offer bespoke testing so if you are unsure what kind of test you need, we can help diagnose your crop using our plant diagnostic techniques.

We can identify plant pests and pathogens found in arable crops, vegetables, trees, ornamental plants, protected edibles, seeds, soft fruit, turf and water. We also have a UKAS accredited nematology testing facility for PCN and free-living nematodes as well as the facility to test for pests and diseases of bees and mites in relation to food storage.

Hear from the Fera team Search Plant Clinic tests

Our Experience

Our diagnosticians are globally recognised for their expertise in diagnosing plant diseases and identification of plant pests. Our approach is to use the most appropriate method for diagnosing each sample ranging from traditional techniques, such as microscopy through to cutting edge molecular diagnostics. We undertake high-quality research and monitoring to provide robust evidence, solutions and advice on the epidemiology and control of plant diseases in agriculture, horticulture and the natural environment. Our scientists undertake bespoke projects for growers to help address specific issues and improve yields.

Download Plant Clinic Factsheets

Explore the Fera shop and purchase your Plant Clinic tests today

Verticillium dahliae Analysis

Before planting it is important to understand the risk of soil borne fungal diseases as an infection can significantly damage crop yield. Our plant experts offer a test to determine the level of Verticillium wilt in your soil, so book in your test today to prevent the risk to your crop.

Barley yellow dwarf virus and Soil borne cereal mosaic virus

The risk of BYDV spreading in your crop and damaging yield is directly related to the arrival and subsequent spread of aphid species. Mitigating future yield losses can be prevented by early diagnosis via our diagnostic test ensuring the most appropriate decisions can be made.

Water Bait Test (Phytophthora and Pythium)

Highlighting any potential contamination within your irrigation system is key to help safeguard your crops against disease. Both Phytophthora and Pythium can cause extensive economic damage so booking a water bait test to diagnose these species will prevent the risk to your crop.

View all Plant Clinic tests

Don't have an online account? Register here

AHDB podcast discussing Potato Virus Y: Protecting the reputation of British seed potatoes

In the summer of 2019 there was an increased number of reports of issues related to Potato Virus Y, this episode looks at the industry response from a variety of specialists including Dr Adrian Fox, Senior Plant Virologist at Fera Science.

View our Potato Tests

We are working with the Tubercare initiative from Certis

Importance of Virus Testing

Adrian Fox, Principal Plant Virologist at Fera Science, explains the methods used in the lab to determine virus levels during the process of seed potato virus testing. He also compares direct molecular diagnostics and 'grow out' testing.

He then goes on to highlight the importance of virus testing in order to minimise yield reductions and maximise marketable yield.

View our Potato Tests

Tuber Disease Identification and Assessment

Our scientists support growers in all areas of agriculture and horticulture through plant health diagnostics, seed testing through to food authenticity and packaging analysis.

In this video, Fera plant diagnosticians explain the process of tuber disease identification and the importance of accurately identifying seed potato pathogens.

View our Potato Tests

Experience the ultimate interactive map and virtual tour of Fera

Our services designed for you

Crop Testing

Our leading expertise and outstanding facilities can help you understand and identify your agricultural challenges; helping you to deliver more economically and environmentally resilient farming solutions for the sustainable intensification of arable systems.

Nematology Testing

Fera's team of nematode experts provide a unique free-living nematode identification service, and offers nematode detection and consultancy advice for all sectors of agriculture and horticulture potentially reducing yield loss.

Big Soil Community

High crop yields often come under scrutiny because of the fertiliser levels needed to produce such yields and because of the perception and reality of the potential environmental impacts of those inputs. Understanding the soil quality is vital to ensuring maximum yields today and in the future.

Seed Testing

Our plant clinic experts offer a wide range of seed tests to meet your testing requirements including, Alternaria spp. seed test, Pospiviroid seed testing package, Colletotrichum spp. test on Lupin seed and much more.

Virology Diagnosis

The virology diagnostics team at Fera utilises a range of tests, including ELISA, and molecular methods such as PCR and next generation sequencing, to both detect and identify a range of plant affecting viruses, viroids and phytoplasmas.

Soil Health Unit

We are helping farmers and industry to understand how different soil properties influence the development and spread of pests and diseases. We help by developing more effective soil-management strategies to mitigate these risks.

Resources - Factsheets

Rhizoctonia Potato Disease

Aphid Transmitted Viruses of Potato

Spraing Disease of Potato

Angular Leaf Spot of Strawberry

Nematode Pests of Soft Fruit Crops

Phytophthora Diseases

Pythium Diseases of Ornamental Plants

Fusarium and Verticillium Wilts

Blackleg and Soft Rot

Fera has the best people in the right place focussed on delivering the right solution. We continuously invest in our people and support them in delivering the best science to our partners.

Adrian Fox

Adrian is the Senior Plant Virologist at Fera. As lead virologist, his role is to deliver a high-quality virology diagnostic service to a wide range of UK and overseas government and commercial clients. The team utilises a range of both cutting edge and traditional techniques to provide a comprehensive diagnostic service.

Andrew Aspin

Andy is an integral part of the Bacteriology team, providing a high quality, comprehensive diagnostic service through appropriate techniques - able to detect and identify all significant plant pathogenic bacteria of agricultural and horticultural crops - delivering to commercial clients and governments, both in the UK and abroad.

Adam Bryning

A thorough service is provided thanks to Adam’s working knowledge and expertise in traditional bacteriological techniques and more cutting edge molecular biological methods. He has a broad knowledge of pathogenic bacteria impacting UK and oversees plant health.

Brian Carter

Brian is the Bacteriology Diagnostic Team Manager at Fera. His role is to co-ordinate the delivery of high-quality bacterial diagnostic services to UK and overseas government and commercial clients.

Larissa Collins

Larissa's personal research interests are chemical ecology and insect transmission of plant disease causing organisms.

Chris Malumphy

Chris is a Senior Entomologist and specialist on invasive species ecology, working in biosecurity and plant health.

Joanna Vicente

Dr Joana Vicente is managing and working towards delivering a range of R&D projects on plant pathogenic bacteria and soil biological diversity.

Tom Prior

Tom is the Senior Plant Nematologist at Fera. As lead nematologist, his role is to deliver a high-quality nematology diagnostic service to a wide range of UK and overseas government and commercial clients. The team utilises a range of both cutting edge and classical techniques.

Charles Lane

Charles has spent the past 20 years identifying fungal plant diseases both indigenous and alien to the UK. He leads Fera’s work on citizen science developing capability and capacity in stakeholders, NGOs and members of the public about plant health and biosecurity.