Scope
Where this method applies
Use for routine scouting and investigation of pests, disease signs, abiotic injury, and unexplained plant symptoms.
Plant health & IPM · THC SOP
Plant-Health Scouting Record
Turn a plant-health inspection into a repeatable evidence record with location, distribution, progression, and negative findings instead of a symptom-only note.
Frequency
When to run it
Use on the program's routine scouting cadence and whenever a new symptom or exposure event is being investigated.
Preparation
Tools and preconditions
Required tools
- scouting map or plant identifiers
- magnification appropriate to the inspection
- clean tools/PPE appropriate to site biosecurity
- camera when permitted
- record sheet
Before starting
- Follow site sanitation and movement rules before moving between plants or zones.
- Define the inspection route so healthy and affected areas are both represented.
Procedure
Run the method in order
Step 1
Identify location
Record room/zone, plant or bench identifiers, growth stage, and inspection time.
Record: Record exact location and crop context.
Step 2
Describe pattern
Describe which organs, canopy levels, ages of tissue, and spatial zones are affected before assigning a suspected cause.
Record: Record symptom location, distribution, and severity estimate.
Step 3
Inspect for signs
Look for insects, mites, eggs, frass, webbing, fungal growth, lesions, root abnormalities, or other discriminating evidence appropriate to the symptom.
Record: Record positive and important negative findings.
Step 4
Capture context
Record recent irrigation, environmental, chemical, handling, and propagation history that could explain an abiotic or exposure pattern.
Record: Record relevant changes/exposures and dates when known.
Step 5
Set next evidence step
Choose the next measurement, inspection, isolation, or diagnostic test that best separates the leading alternatives.
Record: Record ranked possibilities and next action without labeling an unconfirmed diagnosis as fact.
Quality control
Verification checks
Record includes symptom location and distribution, not only a symptom name.
At least one discriminating observation or next-step check is documented.
Confirmed and suspected causes are clearly distinguished.
Evidence record
Fields to preserve
- location/plant ID
- growth stage
- symptom pattern
- severity/distribution
- positive findings
- negative findings
- environment/root-zone context
- recent exposures
- photos
- ranked differential
- next check
Interpretation boundary
Limitations
Visual scouting alone cannot reliably confirm every pathogen, viroid, nutrient imbalance, or root-zone cause; laboratory or instrumented testing may be required.
Connected learning