page created 9 March 2002 |
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 |
Left general view of part of CVC Right a fruitful pummelo tree |
Below a beautiful specimen of the Australian Desert Lime - C. glauca |
Also at Riverside |
Also at Riverside |
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 |
Here are some of the indicator plants awaiting results after budding from the trees
under test. |
