ISHS Acta Horticulturae 432: IX International Symposium on Virus Diseases of Ornamental Plants
THE PREPARATION OF INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION SCHEMES FOR ORNAMENTAL CROPS |
| Author: | D.G. McNamara |
| Abstract:
For the past eight years, the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) has been developing schemes for the certification of pathogentested tested ornamentals, by means of regular discussion meetings between experts from its member countries. Such schemes are based on the principle of 'filiation' in which nuclear stock plants of the highest health status are established and maintained, and certified plants for sale are propagated from them under strictly controlled conditions in a limited number of propagation steps. These schemes have been accepted as standards for the Euro-Mediterranean region and can be used to ensure the pest freedom of planting material moving in international trade. Recently, 'classification' schemes have also been developed, mainly for bulb crops, in cases where filiation is either not practicable or necessary. According to this system a crop my be grown under near-normal conditions (e.g. in the field) and, after a sequence of defined inspections, the progeny can be officially classified as having reached an acceptable health status either for flower production or, at a higher level, for further propagation. So far, five certification schemes have been approved and published and eleven other schemes (certification or classification) are in the process of development. | |
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