 "Using digital imaging equipment, local Extension office staff
can take high-quality images of plant and pest problems,"
explained Dennis Bowman, U of I Extension crop systems educator
who oversees the system. "The images, along with background
information about the problem, are submitted to
Distance Diagnostics. Appropriate experts are instantly
notified. No matter where they are, if these experts can get
e-mail, they can make a diagnosis."Bowman noted that rapid
diagnosis is critical in preventing losses and providing peace
of mind.
"Last year, 22 percent of the samples were diagnosed within
two hours of submission and 77 percent within 48 hours," he
said.
Since the system was launched in 1999, nearly 8,000 plant and
pest samples have been processed. The system connects 95 local U
of I Extension field offices with more than 50 campus and
field-based experts.
Bowman said internal studies indicate that the potential
economic impact of Distance Diagnostics in 2008 alone was
$500,000.
[Text from file received from
University of
Illinois Extension] |
 |
