UMass Lab Diagnostic Services
Landscape and Turf Problem Diagnostics- The UMass Plant Diagnostic Lab is accepting plant disease, insect pest and invasive plant / weed samples. The lab serves commercial landscape contractors, turf managers, arborists, nurseries and other green industry professionals. It provides woody plant and turf disease analysis, woody plant and turf insect identification, turfgrass identification, weed identification, and offers a report of pest management strategies that are research based, economically sound and environmentally appropriate for the situation. Accurate diagnosis for a turf or landscape problem can often eliminate or reduce the need for pesticide use. See our website for instructions on sample submission and for a sample submission form at http:// ag. umass. edu / diagnostics.
Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing- The lab is accepting orders for Routine Soil Analysis( including optional Organic Matter, Soluble Salts, and Nitrate testing), Particle Size Analysis, Pre-Sidedress Nitrate( PSNT), Total Sorbed Metals, Total Carbon, Total Nitrogen, and Soilless Media. The lab is also accepting samples for Plant Tissue analysis, including macro and micronutrients, total carbon, and total nitrogen. Testing services are available to all. The lab provides test results and recommendations that lead to the wise and economical use of soils and soil amendments. For updates and order forms, visit the UMass Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory web site.
Welcome Evan Mascitti, Ph. D.
Dr. Evan Mascitti has joined UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture as a tenure-track faculty member. In a new position entitled Urban Managed Landscapes, his role builds off the legacy of longtime Turf Agronomist Dr. Scott Ebdon.
Geologist turned groundskeeper, Evan comes with a strong academic background, including M. S. and Ph. D. degrees from Penn State, complemented by significant experience in industry. His career has taken him to prestigious sports venues from Citi Field to PNC Park, maintaining turf, coordinating renovations, monitoring irrigation, and optimizing cultural practices. In his most recent position, at Biocore LLC, he honed his research skills in surface testing as it relates to athlete injury and performance.
Evan will serve as the primary instructor for the Introduction to Turfgrass Management course and develop additional courses for turf and horticulture students in the Stockbridge School of Agriculture. His research will serve as the foundation for Extension and outreach activities to New England stakeholders and will include establishment of trials at the Joseph Troll Turf Research Center.
Tick Testing- The UMass Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment provides a list of potential tick identification and testing options at: https:// ag. umass. edu / resources / tick-testing-resources.
A New Era for ISA Credentialing This summer, ISA launched a new CEU credentialing system and pricing structure. The new credentialing system and pricing structure are designed to:
• Streamline the credentialing and recertification process;
• Enhance multilingual and mobile accessibility;
• Provide fair, transparent pricing with standardized 20 % discounts for both ISA members and credential holders; and
• Ensure fees are reflective of the full spectrum of Credentialing Services provided by ISA.
• Facilitate examination enrollment.
At MAA meetings, clipboards are circulated with a QR code and session number. If you need ISA credit, you simply scan the code, enter the session number with your information and you’ re good to go!
Learn more about these changes by reading ISA’ s recent press release.( https:// www. isa-arbor. com / Portals / 0 / Assets / PDF / Certification / CMS _ Pricing _ 2025. pdf)
MAA NEWS FALL 2025 17