In March 2002 I had the pleasure of being shown around the UCR's amazing collection by the curator, Tracy Kahn. Time was limited and I could have happily spent much longer - but that make's a good reason for another visit in the future! On the same site is the USDA Germplasm Repository for Citrus and Dates which provides material for research programmes throughout the world. Here, the director, Robert Kruger, showed me the screen-houses where virus-free potted trees are kept for budwood distribution, and where regular virus testing of the CVC takes place.
This is a picture of the oldest building on the University of California's Riverside campus.
As you can see, it is an attractive building and now home to a school of management.
But the enlargement of the window above the main entrance reveals its original purpose - as the
Citrus Experiment Station
As you can see, it is an attractive building and now home to a school of management.
But the enlargement of the window above the main entrance reveals its original purpose - as the
Citrus Experiment Station
The NCGRCD (National Clonal Germplasm Repository for Citrus and Dates) maintains a screenhouse collection of 700 virus-free trees. These are used to distribute healthy germplasm to researchers worldwide. Another section of the screenhouse is used to check for virus deseases by inoculating susceptible varieties with the material under test. All trees in the CVC are also tested anually for CTV using the laboratory ELISA method.
NCGRCD screenhouse showing part of the collection of virus-free varieties
Indicator plants awaiting results after budding from the trees under test.
General view of part of CVC
A fruitful pummelo
A beautiful specimen of the
Australian Desert Lime - Citrus glauca
Australian Desert Lime - Citrus glauca
Also at Riverside:
Also at Riverside:
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page created 9 March 2002, re-built 17Dec2016