| A review is given of the Texas Citrus Budwood Certification Program (TCBCP). Citrus history in Texas, especially as it leads to voluntary and mandatory programs, is detailed. The components of a successful program are described, including cultivar selection, shoot-tip grafting and thermotherapy, comprehensive biological indexing, development of Foundation and Increase Blocks, and budwood release. Summarized reviews of most major and minor diseases of graft transmissible pathogens (GTPs) are given, including tristeza, citrus sudden death, citrus canker, citrus variegated chlorosis, and huanglongbing. Reasons for having a mandatory program are discussed, as are some model programs across the country and the world, such as California, Spain, and South Africa. Predictions and suggestions are made on how to maintain the TCBCP as the strong program it is today, including the new mandatory laws and the use of biotechnology. |
