Growers, fieldmen, and Extension personnel would all benefit from having rapid and simple disease identification test kits to make accurate initial disease diagnoses in the field. These test kits would also be helpful in eliminating disease misdiagnoses and identifying whether the issue is physiological or chemical and not due to a pathogen. A research and Extension program was developed to evaluate the use of commercially available pathogen test kits and determine the accuracy of each one. Using potatoes as a test model, multiple test kits for numerous diseases were used, assessed, and the results compared with results from traditional diagnostic methods. Results indicated the kits tested were reliable, easy to use, and accurate. Some limitations were observed, but they were not restricting. Overall, the use of disease diagnostic test kits will provide an additional tool for greater accuracy, efficiency, and sustainability.
