The University of California or other government agencies supplying foundation or nuclear stock are responsible for the selection, propagation, trueness to variety, identification, index-testing and pest cleanliness of the plants.
An inventory of eligible trees in the foundation or nuclear blocks shall be provided to the Department annually. A record of stock distributed shall be provided to the Department within 60 days of the distribution and shall include the names and addresses of the persons to whom the stock was distributed.
To be eligible for foundation or nuclear stock, the plant, including the rootstock if used, shall have been index-tested for and found free of virus infection using the following indicator plants: Virginia crabapple; Spy 27, Russian seedling R12740-7A, Golden Delicious, Lord Lambourne, Gravenstein, and Sparten apples; Quince C7/1; Pyrus veichii; and Hardy, Bartlett, and Bosc pears. A procedure determined equally suitable to detect virus infection may be used instead of index-testing provided the procedure has been approved by the Department.
The following are the location and planting requirements for foundation stock:
The foundation block planting shall be located at least 300 feet from any commercial planting of the same genus to minimize disease infection.
The ground in such planting and a distance of 25 feet surrounding the planting shall be kept free of other vegetation.
The foundation block planting shall be located in an area having minimal risks for spread of infectious pests by drainage, flooding, irrigation, or other means.
Trees in a foundation block shall be planted in rows which are at least ten feet apart and trees in each row shall be at least five feet apart to maintain plant identity.
Each tree planted in a foundation block shall be labeled as to variety and source.
Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 3, § 3020.4
Note: Authority cited: Sections 407 and 5823, Food and Agricultural Code. Reference: Sections 5821 and 5822, Food and Agricultural Code.