Section 5B-62.028 - Citrus SeedCitrus seed must originate from source trees that are registered on a Certificate of Source Tree Registration as specified in Rule 5B-62.017, F.A.C., and must meet the following requirements:
(1) Budwood used to propagate seed source trees must be taken under the direct supervision of the department and shall be reported on a Source Tree Bud Cutting Report, FDACS-08172, Revised 03/14, as incorporated in Rule 5B-62.005, F.A.C. The Budding Record Location on the Source Tree Bud Cutting Report must identify the location of the progeny trees in the nursery.(2) The planting of seed source trees must be witnessed by the department using the Growers Record of Registered Scion Tree Movement, FDACS-08071, Revised 03/14, as incorporated in Rule 5B-62.005, F.A.C.(3) Existing registered seed source trees can be top-worked to another variety provided the new variety is not similar in leaf or fruit morphology. Topworked seed source trees must comply with subsections (1) and (2), above. Topworked trees must be inspected to assure only the topworked variety is grown.(4) New seed source trees cannot be within 300 feet of an approved greenhouse structure.(5) Seed source trees must be inspected by the department and shall have at no time shown symptoms of seed transmissible pathogens listed in Rule 5B-62.003, F.A.C.(6) Seed source trees must be tested and found free of citrus leaf blotch virus and citrus tatter leaf virus.(7) Seed source trees not originating from registered stock must be parent-tree tested and found free of seed transmissible pathogens listed in Rule 5B-62.003, F.A.C.(8) Seed used in commercial citrus nurseries must be treated to prevent the spread of pathogens as defined in subsection 5B-62.028(13), F.A.C.(9) Seed extraction operations must be separated from any approved greenhouse structure.(10) Seed drying must be separated from extraction areas and away from field citrus trees.(11) Fruit rinds culled from the extraction process must be removed from the area prior to seed treatment and drying and all personnel/vehicles handling the fruit shall be decontaminated.(12) Nursery personnel must not enter any approved greenhouse after being involved in the extraction/treatment process, until the following day.(13) Seed must be hot water treated at 125 degrees Fahrenheit for ten minutes, followed by dipping in 2% household bleach (sodium hypochlorite), by volume for 5 minutes. A surface fungicide must also be applied to the seed prior to storage.(14) Small lots of seed used for research or own-use nursery are exempt from hot water treatment.(15) Citrus seed originating outside of Florida must meet the following requirements: (a) Citrus seed must be imported under a permit issued by the division.(b) The source trees for seed originating outside of Florida must have tested free of seed-transmissible diseases listed in Rule 5B-62.003, F.A.C.(c) The tests for citrus seed-transmissible diseases shall have been completed within 36 months of the seed extraction date.Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 5B-62.028
Rulemaking Authority 570.07(23), 581.031(1), (3), (8), 581.1843(3), (4) FS. Law Implemented 570.07(2), (13), 581.031(1), (14), (17), (23), 581.1843(3), (4) FS.
Adopted by Florida Register Volume 41, Number 027, February 10 effective 2/25/2015.