The Citrus Variety Improvement Program in Spain after Eleven Years

Abstract

The Citrus Variety Improvement Program in Spain (CVIPS) started in 1975 with the following objectives: a) to recover virus-free plants by shoot-tip grafting i n vitro from cultivars selected in Spain; b) to release virus-free budwood to citrus nurseries and c) to establish a germplasm bank of healthy plants. In 1983 these objectives were expanded with the importation of citrus budwood from other areas through a quarantine station based on tissue culture in vitro techniques. Sixtythree species and varieties have been introduced through this quarantine station so far.