FPS:
Foundation Plant Services

A summary of grapevine programs
provided by FPS.

Program Description

Foundation Plant Service (FPS) was created to provide virus tested plant materials for research and commercial use. New varieties developed at the University, as well as material from several unique collections maintained by FPS, are supplied to the public. This service is in keeping with the University's policy to release healthy plant material whenever possible.

Most of the material maintained and distributed by FPS is propagated vegetatively. Although vegetative propagation has the advantage of creating progeny plants that are genetically identical to the mother, it has the potential to transmit diseases caused by viruses or other agents. It is important to avoid propagation of infected material because different viruses can have various adverse effects such as reduced vigor, less uniformity, shortened productive life, reduced crop and inferior crop quality.

Testing procedures proscribed by California state regulation (called indexing) are used to check for diseases before release of plant material. If disease is found, selections are treated to eliminate pathogens and then reindexed on known indicator hosts. Although foundation materials supplied by FPS are apparently free of potentially harmful viruses, it is not possible to guarantee that materials are healthy due to limitations of testing methods available.

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method is used in addition to state proscribed tests to evaluate health in several crops. ELISA involves antigen-antibody reactions that detect virus.

After tests are successfully completed, new selections are added to FPS collections. Individual plants are visually inspected by experts to verify trueness to variety before they qualify as sources for foundation stock.

The value of virus-tested stock is widely recognized by the establishment of Certification programs in many states and countries. In California, this program is administered by the Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA). CDFA has designated FPS as a source of propagation materials for its grapevine, deciduous fruit and nut tree, and strawberry certification programs. Initial plant material produced by FPS is called foundation stock, which is used to produce registered stock and then certified stock. Each type is identified with a different color tag issued by CDFA--white for foundation stock, purple for registered stock and blue for certified stock. Complete regulations, available from CDFA describe growing conditions, inspection and testing procedures required to produce foundation, registered and certified stock.

Propagating materials are sold by FPS to the public in accordance with an allocation policy that ensures that materials are distributed as widely as possible to industry, researchers, repositories, and others. Amounts suitable for establishing increase plantings are distributed as first priority to participants in the California Registration and Certification programs. Remaining materials are sold first to domestic and then to foreign customers who order the material.

Grapevine Registration and Certification Program

In 1952 it became apparent that severe virus disease problems existed in California vineyards. In response, USDA scientist Dr. Austin Goheen developed field indexing methods for disease detection and discovered that disease elimination could be accomplished with thermotherapy. Indicator varieties proscribed by state regulation are used to detect virus diseases. In addition, FPS uses ELISA to check each vine for fanleaf biannually. Starting in 1992-93 each foundation mother vine is also tested by ELISA for four leafroll-associated viruses.

All grape selections registered today in the California Registration and Certification Program have been field-indexed on the specified indicator varieties. In addition, registered vines are inspected twice a year, as proscribed by state regulations.

FPS maintains registered table, wine and rootstock varieties that qualify for foundation stock status (complete list available upon request). Small quantities of unrooted dormant cuttings from these vines are sold to the public during the winter months. In the event that dormant foundation cuttings are insufficient, FPS will produce grape plants on a contract basis using greenhouse mist propagation techniques. These plants qualify for foundation stock status and may be used to plant registered increase blocks.

FPS also maintains records as to the source, treatment, and index tests used for each grape selection. A directory of registered grape selections together with information about growers who produce California certified grape stocks is available from FPS for $10.00.

Private individuals or companies can contract with FPS on a fee-for-service basis to have special grape varietal selections virus-tested. Contracts and fee schedules are available from FPS upon request.

National Grapevine Importation Program

A National Grapevine Importation Program was started at FPS in the winter of 1992-93. Grapegrowers who wish to import foreign grape materials may use this program on a fee-for-service basis. Imported materials are tested as required by USDA-APHIS. Propagation materials from cultivars that test negative are released from quarantine to the importers (owners). Applications and fee schedules for quarantine services are available for public and proprietary/patented cultivars upon request.