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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Riverside, California » National Clonal Germplasm Repository for Citrus » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #112483
Title: PRESERVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF VIRUS-FREE CLONAL CITRUS GERMPLASM AT THE NATIONAL CLONAL GERMPLASM REPOSITORY FOR CITRUS, RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA

Author
item WILLIAMS, TIMOTHY - UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

Submitted to: Caribbean Food Crops Society Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/15/1990
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: WILLIAMS, T.E. PRESERVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF VIRUS-FREE CLONAL CITRUS GERMPLASM AT THE NATIONAL CLONAL GERMPLASM REPOSITORY FOR CITRUS, RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA. CARIBBEAN FOOD CROPS SOCIETY PROCEEDINGS. 1990.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The United States Department of Agriculture's National Clonal Germplasm Repository for Citrus is currently establishing a virus-free clonal germplasm collection of 830 accessions of citrus and related Aurantioideae genera at its Riverside, California facility with the objective of reducing genetic vulnerability of the crop and providing a source of virus-free clonal germplasm to researchers worldwide. Emphasis of the collection centers on the acquisition and ex-situ preservation, maintenance, evaluation, and distribution of genera, species and cultivars representing the widest possible genetic diversity with the citrus subfamily. The Repository plan includes a comprehensive program of genetic characterization, pathogen detection and elimination, pest management, propagation in a controlled and protected environment, and documentation. All accessions are evaluated for trueness-to-type using leaf isozymes and characterized for 58 descriptors. Research is expanding into RFLPs for the development of a usable genomic map. The pathogen detection program evaluates accession for 9 virus and viroid and two bacterial diseases. Infected accessions receive shoot-tip micrografting and thermotherapy to eliminate pathogens. All accessions are maintained as potted trees in aphid-proof screen- or greenhouses. Citrus seed, pollen, and buds are being investigated for extended preservation under low-temperature and cryostorage. Research investigations into in vitro culturing of explants have begun. A complete computer-based record of each accession is maintained on site and in the USDA-ARS Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).