Plant Science and Health Laboratory Services
The Plant Science and Health Laboratory Services at the Animal and Plant Health Centre acts as the national authority on plant health and provide laboratory services and recommendations in the following disciplines:
- Plant mycology
- Plant virology
- Nematology
- Entomology
- Soil science
Laboratory services support:
- Providing phytosanitary certification for plants and plant commodities meant for export.
- Surveillance of imports, plants in local farms/nurseries/parks for plant pests.
List of Laboratory Services provided
You may need to engage a landscape maintenance or treatment provider to carry out the recommendations given. Here is a list of services offered:
|
Laboratory Services
|
Functions |
| Analysis of plant materials and soil |
- To detect insect and nematode pests, bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens
- To recommend appropriate control measures
|
| Soil and soil mixes |
- To analyse soils and soil mixes for physical and chemical parameters
|
The fees for the various services are as follows.
Plant Pests
|
Tests/services
|
Fees
|
| Laboratory diagnosis for bacteria or fungus of virus (ELISA) |
S$28.35 per test. Subject to maximum three tests per pest type.
Bulk discount:
S$13.65 per test from fourth test onwards for the same pest type.
|
| Detection of virus (dsRNA), phytoplasma, or viroid |
S$68.25 per test, per pest type. |
Soil analysis
| Tests/services |
Fees |
|
Analysis for:
- N (Nitrogen)
- P (Phosphorous)
- K (Potassium)
- Ca (Calcium)
- Mg (Magnesium)
- Na (Sodium)
- B (Boron)
- Cu (Copper)
- Mn (Manganese)
- Fe (Iron)
- Zn (Zinc)
- Organic carbon, organic matter and C:N ratio (2 tests)
|
S$28.35 per test. Subject to maximum three tests for the same test type.
Bulk discount:
S$23.10 per test from fourth test onwards for the same test type.
|
| Analysis for pH or electrical conductivity (EC) |
S$10.50 per test. Subject to maximum five tests for the same test type.
Bulk discount:
S$9.45 per test from sixth test onwards for the same test type.
|
| Particle size or soil texture |
S$42 per test. Subject to maximum three tests.
Bulk discount:
S$37.80 per test from fourth test onwards for the same test type.
|
| Bulk density or moisture content |
S$15.75 per test. |
| Cation exchange capacity (CEC). |
S$47.25 per test. |
Details of these fees as well as other laboratory and diagnostic services offered by the Plant Science and Health Laboratory Branch can be found in the plant health laboratory and diagnostic services booklet.
Application process and sample submission
Follow the steps below to request for laboratory services for your plant specimens.
Step 1: Select sample for analysis
Poorly-selected specimens may result in an inaccurate diagnosis or inappropriate control recommendation. Refer to the service booklet for detailed guidelines and instructions on selecting and submitting a sample for analysis.
Step 2: Sample submission: eServices
Apply and complete the sample submission online through the eServices. Refer to the eServices guide for detailed guidelines and instructions on submission.
Please refer to the CorpPass Registration guide(Locals), CorpPass Registration guide(Foreigners) and Set Up & Digital Services Access guide for detailed guidelines and instructions on registration.
Step 3: Submit samples and eService Acknowledgement Slip
Submit your samples personally to the APHC office, together with the eService acknowledgement slip immediately after collection of sample from site. If you are unable to submit the samples immediately after collection, keep them refrigerated between five to 10o C.
You can also mail or courier the samples and service acknowledgement slip to APHC, using a sturdy box to contain the items. The samples must be sent to the address below.
Plant Science and Health Laboratory Services
Animal & Plant Health Centre
No. 6 Perahu Road
Singapore 718827
Please indicate your preferred method of receiving the test results in the submission.
By using eServices, results can be viewed online upon payment. The official report will also be sent to you based on your preferred method of receipt.
For confidentiality reasons, reports will be sent only to the party being billed for the examination. Exception will be when there is a detection of a regulated plant pest under the Control of Plants Act where NParks has to take regulatory action.
Submitting samples from overseas
If you are submitting a sample from outside Singapore, an S$11 import fee will be levied for each application. You will also be billed for the import permit and the laboratory analysis.
You have to follow the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Packing Instruction 650 if you are sending plant samples from overseas. You can find more information on postal package regulations at the IATA website or contact us for more details.
Test result
Test results will be ready within 7 to 14 days (from the date of submission of sample and application form) depending on the test types. Exceptions include:
- Incubation tests that require more than 14 days to complete.
You will be notified if the test results will not be ready within 14 days. The report will be released only upon full payment for services rendered. You can call NParks at (65) 63165168 to check if the report is ready for collection.
Payment
Click here for modes of payment for laboratory services.