The Oregon Department of Agriculture Plant Health Program ensures the production of virus-tested plants of pome and stone fruits by Oregon nurseries in order for them to meet the regulatory requirements of domestic and international markets. We administer a voluntary virus certification program (OAR
603-051-0855 to
603-051-0859) and provide nursery audits, inspections, and pathogen testing for the industry.
What nursery stock do we certify?
The program certifies ornamental and fruit trees as rootstock, interstock, or top-stock, including:
- Malus (apples and crabapples)
- Prunus (fruiting and ornamental cherries, plums, peaches, apricots, and almonds)
- Pyrus (domestic, Asian, and flowering pears)
- Cydonia and Chaenomeles (quince and flowering quince)
What are the viruses of concern?
- For Malus, Pyrus, Cydonia, and Chaenomeles we test for
latent viruses:
- Apple chlorotic leafspot virus (ACLSV)
- Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV)
- Apple stem pitting virus (ASPV)
- For Prunus, we test for:
- We also provide testing for plant parasitic nematodes such as Xiphinema spp. that can act as virus vectors.
Where can I get "clean" plants to grow in my nursery?
Propagative material for scion-blocks and stool beds can be obtained from Clean Plant Centers, such as the
Clean Plant Center Northwest, in Prosser, Washington or
Foundation Plant Services, in Davis, California. We only accept G2 and G3 plant material originating from either of these sources into the certification program.
How can I participate in this program?
The certification program is voluntary. Participating nurseries enter into compliance agreements with the ODA and provide information about their planting locations and materials. Plant Health Program staff sample and test rootstock and scion mother blocks annually. We then provide these results to the nursery and
Timeline
- February: New compliance agreements are sent out.
- March 31: Compliance agreements are due, including updated materials lists and information about any new cultivars or varieties added to the program.
- May-June: Prunus sampling and testing is done; results sent to nurseries.
- October-November: Malus, Pyrus, Cydonia, and Chaenomeles sampling and testing is
- December: Final test results and shipping lists are provided to nurseries.
What are the fees associated with this program?
Fees are set forth by
OAR-603-051-0859. Nurseries pay a $200 annual application fee. Virus tests are $10 per sample for Prunus necrotic ringspot virus and Prune dwarf virus. All other virus tests are $7 per sample.