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Plant Health Laboratory Services

The plant health laboratory services arm of the Animal and Plant Health Centre of the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore functions as the national authority on plant pests and diseases. It has specialists in Plant Mycology, Plant Virology, Nematology, Entomology, and Soil Science disciplines to provide analytical and diagnostic services for the identification of insect pests, diseases and nutrition problems for plants in Singapore.

The Pest Management Unit carries out surveillance programmes on the general plant health status of local vegetable and orchid farms, ornamental nurseries, shrubs and trees in the garden city. The farms and the National Parks Board are provided with fortnightly plant pest and disease trends to manage impeding outbreaks.

We also provide laboratory examinations to facilitate trade in plants and plant commodities for phytosanitary certifications as well as checking for any incursion of exotic plant pests and diseases for post entry samples taken from plant quarantine inspections by AVA.






Services

The Animal and Plant Health Centre of AVA serves as a valuable resource for many different groups such as:

    • Home garden enthusiasts
    • Golf courses managers
    • Garden societies and clubs
    • Property management corporations
    • Hydroponics, vegetable, orchid and ornamental plant farms
    • Agri-chemical companies
    • Landscape companies and maintenance contractors
    • Plant and plant product exporters and importers

    • Our services include:

      • Analysis of plant materials and soil for insect and nematode pests, bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens, and to recommend appropriate control measures where available.
      • Nutrient analysis for plant tissues, soils, fertilisers, manure and growing media.
      • Consultation on soil fertility, chemical and physical soil properties for plant growth.
      • On-site assessment and diagnosis of plant health problems at location.
      • Consultation and training on pest management and pesticide applications.
      • Laboratory and field evaluations on pest control efficacy for phyto-chemicals and pesticides.
      • Publication of Plant Health Guidebooks and Brochures

      We provide diagnosis and recommendations only. You may need to engage a nursery service to carry out the recommendations given.

       

      Our publications:

    • The Singapore Plant Health Guide (ebook, Published 2010, ISBN 978-981-08-6275-6) -S$5.00 per copy
    • Guide to Vegetable Growing, Chinese Version (ebook, Published 2010, ISBN 978-981-07-0035-5) -S$5.00 per copy
    • Guide to Vegetable Growing (ebook, Published 2008, ISBN 978-981-08-5475-1) -Currently out of stock
    • Plant Host Pest Disease Index of Singapore (Hardcopy and CD, Published 2005) -Free   

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      Types of tests/services and fees

      Details of fees can be downloaded from our service booklet.
      Fees for commonly requested tests/services are also listed below.

       Fee                          

      Tests/Services
      Charges
      (inclusive of GST)
      Contact Persons
      Pathogens and Pests
      Laboratory Diagnosis for Bacteria or Fungus or Virus (ELISA) $28.35 per test for up to 3 tests for each pest type

      Bulk Discount
      $13.65 per test from 4th test onwards for same pest type
      Ms Yap Mei Lai
      Email: yap_mei_lai@ava.gov.sg

      Detection of Virus per Plant Type (dsRNA) or Phytoplasma or Viroid. $68.25 per test per pest type
      Laboratory Diagnosis for Plant Insect or
      Nematode
      $28.35 per test for up to 3 tests for each pest type

      Bulk Discount
      $13.65 per test from 4th test onwards for same pest type
      Mr He Liansheng
      Email:
      he_lian_sheng@ava.gov.sg


      Nutrient Analysis
      Each Analysis - N, P, K, Ca, Mg, B, Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn, Na, Chloride, Sulphate, Total Carbon or Organic Carbon, Organic Matter and C:N ratio*
      (*2 tests for C:N ratio)
      $28.35 per test up to 3 tests for the same test

      Bulk Discount
      $23.10 per test from 4th test onwards for the same test
      Dr Varughese Philip
      Email:
      philip_varughese@ava.gov.sg
      Analysis for pH, Buffered pH or 
      Electrical Conductivity (EC)
      $10.50 per test up to 5 tests for the same test

      Bulk Discount
      $9.45 per test from 6th test onwards for the same test

      Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)

      $47.25 per test
      Bulk Density or
      Moisture Content
      $15.75 per test
      Particle Size or
      Soil Texture
      $42.00 per test up to 3 tests

      Bulk Discount
      $37.80 per test from 4th test onwards for same test
      Other Services
      Professional services
      (e.g. Plant Health Site Assessements)
      $63.00 per hour or
      part thereof
      Appointment to be made at Tel: 63165168 or
      Email:
      AVA_Planthealth@ava.gov.sg





























































       

      Application process and sample submission

      1) Selection of sample for analysis


      Please refer to our service booklet for detailed instructions on sample submission.

       

      2) Completion of application form

      Application form for Plant Health Laboratory Services is available as a hard copy (pdf format) or as an electronic form for customers applying using eServices from AVA website.

      • For home growers or individuals, please give your name, mailing address, contact no. and NRIC no. for billing purposes.
      • For company representatives, please include your name and your company name, mailing address, your contact number and your Company's UEN no. for billing purposes.

      Fill in the application form as well as the worksheet for selection of test(s) provided. Acknowledge the selected tests to be performed by signing and selecting the preferred method of payment before submitting the form with the samples. Please read the terms and conditions before signing the form.

       


      3) Submission of samples and application form

      Submit the samples, together with the completed application form or the eService acknowledgement slip to the Animal and Plant Health Centre soon after collecting. Otherwise keep the samples cool (refrigerated at 5 to 10oC) if you are unable to submit immediately.

      Alternatively, you may mail/courier the sample in a sturdy box (to prevent crushing) with the completed application form.


      Sample submission from overseas (including Malaysia)


      AVA regulates the import of plants and plant products, biological control agents, soil and organic fertilisers in Singapore under the Control of Plants Act (Chapter 57A, Section 49). An import permit fee (S$11) for these foreign samples is levied for each application by the Quarantine & Inspection Department. Customer will be billed for the import permit in addition to the laboratory analysis.

      When sending plant samples from overseas, International Air Transport Association (IATA) Packaging Instruction 650 should be followed. Further information on regulations covering postal packages can be obtained from IATA.

       

      Test reports

      Test results are ready within 7 to 14 days depending on test types. We will send an invoice when the laboratory report is ready if prior payment had not been made. Report will be released only upon full payment for services. Please call 6316 5168 to check if the report is ready for collection.

      Please indicate on the application form the preferred manner of receiving reports: by fax, mail or personal collection at APHC. For customers using our eServices, results can be viewed online upon payment. The official report will be sent to you based on your preferred method of receipt.

      For reasons of confidentiality, reports will be sent only to the party being billed for the examination, except where a notifiable disease, in which case, the relevant authorities will be notified.

      For a claim of unsuccessful mail delivery of a report, one CERTIFIED TRUE COPY can be issued gratis. The customer is encouraged to collect this report at the APHC as any subsequent request for a copy of the report will be charged the administrative fee of S$9.45 (inclusive of GST).

       


      Payment



      Modes of payment for laboratory services include NETS, GIRO, Cheque or cashcard.

      For customers using our eServices, payment can also be made using credit card (VISA or MasterCard) or Internet banking (eNets Debit).

      Applications for payment by GIRO should be made in advance to allow time for processing. Please click here for more information regarding payment and GIRO application form.

      For clients not residing in Singapore, please contact APHC for payment arrangements.


      For payment queries:
      Mrs Chan Geok Hua
      Tel: +65-6316 5188
      Email: chan_geok_hua@ava.gov.sg

       


      Our contact

      Animal and Plant Health Centre
      Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority

      6 Perahu Road
      Singapore 718827
      Tel: (65) 63165168 / (65) 63165188
      Fax: (65) 63161090

      Plant Health
      Miss Yap Mei Lai
      E-mail: yap_mei_lai@ava.gov.sg


      Operating Hours
       
      Operating Hours
      Specimen Submission Hours
      Mondays to Thursdays 8:00 am to 5:30 pm 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
      Fridays 8:00 am to 5:00 pm 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
      New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year's Eve and Christmas Eve 8:00 am to 12:30 pm 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
      Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays Closed Closed


       

       

       

      Last updated on 01 February 2012
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