Procedures for Hydrilla Tissue Collection

1. For each GenTEST sampling location within a waterbody, collect 1 - 3 hydrilla stem sections.
   
   a) Hydrilla stem sections should be 2 - 4 inches in length with a minimum of one intact whorl of leaflets per stem section.
   
   b) Sampled tissue should have good integrity (i.e., not be soft, decaying, or otherwise in poor structural condition).
   
   c) Active growing tissue (i.e., apical or other growing tip) is not required.
   
   d) Collected tissue can show bleaching stress from an in-progress Sonar treatment if overall tissue integrity is good.
   
   e) If tissue condition at a specific sampling location is considered questionable by the sampler, please note that condition on the chain of custody form.
   
   f) If all hydrilla tissue at a lake site is considered questionable, please consult with a SePRO Aquatic Specialist before overnight shipment.
   
   

2. Rinse plants thoroughly to remove excess mud and algae.

3. Place plants in a ziplock bag and drain off all excess water. Label each ziplock bag with the name of the lake, sample date, and site number.

4. Complete a GenTEST Chain of Custody form.

5. Place the COC and samples in a cooler with cool packs and ship via overnight express(next-day delivery). Please make sure your cooler is not leaking. Packages that are leaking do not get delivered. FedEx is the preferred method. Please do not ship via U. S. Mail.

6. Ideally, plants should be shipped on the same day of collection. If this is not possible, store plants in a cooler with a cool pack. Cool packs should not directly contact sample bags if possible. Put a layer or two of paper towels or newspaper between the pack and plants. Do not store plants in the freezer or refrigerator. Please do not ship plants on a Friday.

7. Contact SePRO's laboratory at srtclab@sepro.com or call (252) 437-3282 before shipping and provide an estimated arrival date.

8. Ship samples to:

   SePRO Research & Technology Campus 
   16013 Watson Seed Farm Road Whitakers 
   NC 27891-9114 

   E-mail: srtclab@sepro.com 
   Tel: (252) 437-3282