| (a) The trees in a foundation block shall be established
using:
(1) Certified budwood or budwood from a certified source
tree that has been tested by a certified laboratory no more than 90
days prior to the date budwood is cut and found to be free of tristeza
virus, citrus greening disease, exocortis viroid, cachexia viroid,
psorosis virus, citrus tatterleaf virus, concave gum, and any other
pests of regulatory concern; or
(2) Budwood imported directly from the California Citrus
Clonal Protection Program, the Bureau of Citrus Budwood Registration
of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services or
the USDA-ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository for Citrus, when
accompanied by documentation certifying that the budwood is free of
the diseases listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(b) Budwood used to establish a foundation block shall
originate from trees that exhibit desirable horticultural true-to-type
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) that were 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 a foundation block, shall
be assigned a unique source tree identification number consisting
of block abbreviation, variety abbreviation, block number, row number,
and tree number. A sign, stake, tag or other permanent and waterproof
marker shall be used to associate each tree with its unique number.
(d) Foundation block trees shall be examined during
first fruiting and annually thereafter by a panel of experts designated
by the department to verify horticultural characteristics. Any tree
not exhibiting desirable horticultural characteristics for the specified
variety shall be immediately removed from use as a budwood source.
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