ARS | Publication request: THE UC RIVERSIDE CITRUS VARIETY COLLECTION, CORNERSTONE OF THE CALIFORNIA CITRUS GENETIC RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND UTILIZATION SYSTEM

Submitted to: International Society of Citriculture Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: July 15, 2000
Publication Date: December 15, 2000
Citation: KAHN, T.L., BIER, O.J., KRUEGER, R., ROOSE, M.L., GUMPF, D.J. THE UC RIVERSIDE CITRUS VARIETY COLLECTION, CORNERSTONE OF THE CALIFORNIA CITRUS GENETIC RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND UTILIZATION SYSTEM. INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF CITRICULTURE ABSTRACTS. 2000.

Technical Abstract: California maintains one of the largest and most diverse assemblages of citrus genetic resources in the world with a conservation and utilization system comprising three primary units: the Citrus Variety Collection (CVC), the Citrus Clonal Protection Program (CCPP) at the University of California, and the USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository for Citrus and Dates (NCGRCD). The CVC is the primary citrus genetic resource in California. It is one of the most extensive collections of citrus diversity in the world, encompassing approximately 865 accessions of citrus and citrus relatives. Approximately 640 of the 865 accessions are within the sub-genus Citrus, the remaining types are included in the other 27 of the 33 related genera in the sub-family Aurantiodeae of the Rutaceae. Currently, the CVC serves as a genetic resource for 32 different research projects from scion and rootstock breeding for the improvement of commercial varieties to the study of the biological activities of citrus limonoids as anticancer agents. These projects are conducted by researchers at Riverside and other citrus-producing areas in the USA. In addition to these research projects, the NCGRCD uses the CVC as its field site to help fulfill its mission to acquire, preserve, distribute, and evaluate genetic resources. Through the distribution function of the NCGRCD, the CVC also contributes to research efforts around the world. The complementary CCPP and UCR Citrus Breeding Programs are also important components in this system.