(a) The trees in the foundation grove shall be established using:
- (1) Texas budwood or budwood source trees that have been tested by a certified laboratory and found to be free of tristeza virus, exocortis viroid, cachexia viroid, psorosis virus, citrus tatterleaf virus, concave gum; or
- (2) budwood imported from the California Citrus Clonal Protection Program and accompanied by documentation certifying that the budwood is free of the diseases listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection. The imported budwood may be re-tested upon receipt in Texas by a certified laboratory to verify freedom from tristeza virus.
(b) Budwood used to establish the foundation grove shall originate from trees that exhibit desirable horticultural characteristics for the specified varieties:
- (1) in accordance with The Citrus Industry Volume I, edited by Reuther, Webber and Batchelor, published by the University of California Division of Agricultural Sciences in 1967;
- (2) developed since publication of The Citrus Industry in accordance with other recognized scientific reviewed publications containing variety release articles; or
- (3) as determined by review of specific variety information by the Director of the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center.
- (c) Each tree planted in the foundation grove, including the increase block, shall be assigned a unique source tree identification number consisting of grove abbreviation, variety abbreviation, block number, row number, and tree number. A sign, stake, tag or other durable marker shall be used to associate each tree with its unique number.
- (d) Foundation grove trees shall be examined during first fruiting and thereafter at annual intervals by a panel of experts designated by the department to verify horticultural characteristics. Trees not exhibiting desirable horticultural characteristics for the specified variety shall be immediately removed from use as a budwood source.
Source Note:The provisions of this §21.32 adopted to be effective November 10, 1999, 24 TexReg 9828.