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Processing Foreign Turfgrass Germplasm through Federal Quarantine

USDA-ARS, Glenn Dale, MD 20769-9157

^* Corresponding author (!03rigd).

Foreign germplasm will continue to be an important component of turfgrass breeding programs. Hundreds of alien pathogens overseas are not found in the USA, and some are responsible for major economically devastating losses. Vegetative propagules, but not imported seeds of turfgrass genera, are quarantined on arrival in the USA. They are closely observed for insects and diseases, and are tested for some 50 viruses reported worldwide to infect grasses. Two virus-indexing tests are conducted in duplicate under quarantine control 6 to 12 mo apart. They are (i) mechanical transmission of viruses in extracted sap to eight genera of monocots (herbaceous test) such as wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and corn (Zea mays L.), each of which is sensitive to one or more viruses, and (ii) sap examination under the electron microscope (EM) for the presence of virus particles. More than 95% of the accessions are released from quarantine after completion of 12 to 18 mo of virus testing. Status of quarantined germplasm is maintained in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), which any U.S. scientist can access via computer. Processing turfgrass germplasm through quarantine will continue to be an important component of the Federal program of safeguarding exotic germplasm introduction and eventual introgression.

Received for publication January 3, 1994.