Foundation Plant Services

From chilling poolside, to long car rides, to outdoor adventures… Grapes from California are in season now and ready to fuel your summer snacking!

Earlier this week, FPS Director Maher Al Rwahnih presented at the Strawberry Nursery Congress 2026 hosted by Global Plant Genetics & University of California Davis. The event showcasing UC Davis strawberry varieties was attended by nurserymen from around the world. Attendees were provided with a virtual tour of FPS’s clean strawberry production process, and updates on on capabilities for diagnostic testing, quarantine, and research at FPS. We relish every opportunity to meet the people who use the clean plants produced by our program, and thank Global Plant Genetics and the UC Davis Strawberry Breeding Program for the opportunity to participate.

In the last video of the four-part clean grapevine series from NCPN-Grapes and Penn State Extension, Dr. Marc Fuchs explains why clean plant centers and certification programs don’t test for every possible grapevine disease. Clean plant centers like FPS target the economically relevant viruses – things that can cause significant harm in vineyards and are not typically widespread. What about crown gall? For that answer, you’ve gotta watch the video:

Penn State Extension 1 like. "Why Some Grapevine Diseases Aren't Tested?"

USDA-APHIS has announced the 2026 spending plan for the Plant Protection Act Section 7721 program, and FPS will receive $3.6 million for National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) and research activities. Thanks to strong NCPN funding we will be able to continue clean plant center activities, and through the research projects we we are working to improve diagnostics and encourage HTS adoption for berries, sweetpotato, grapes, fruit trees, and roses. We are grateful for the USDA-APHIS support and the hard work of the FPS team. You can read the whole USDA news release here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/usda-invests-90-million-strengthen-plant-pest-prevention-clean-plant (Photo credit USDA)

Viruses like grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 and grapevine red blotch virus affect vineyard profits, but what does that have to do with certified planting material? These are two of many viruses that certification programs do not allow in G1 foundation or nursery blocks. Using certified vines when establishing a vineyard is a great way to start a new venture without compromise to virus – hear more from Dr. Cain Hickey, Penn State Extension, in this new NCPN-Grapes supported video.

Penn State Extension Why Grapevine Certification Matters

We are happy to report the screenhouse build continues to progress under blue skies and sunny days! Install of the wall screen has begun, and we are looking forward to moving in and expanding the foundation grapevine collection.

What is a Clean Grapevine? There’s some nuance to the answer. A clean grapevine is a plant that has been tested and found free of certain viruses and other harmful pathogens. It will never mean that the vine is free of all pathogens – this would be impossible to determine, and prohibitively expensive. Certified grapevines have a high chance of being free from viruses of concern, which are established by their supervising certification program. Dr. Marc Fuchs explains more in this new video from Penn State Extension:

Penn State Extension What is a Clean Grapevine?

We’re excited to share the first video in a new series produced by PennState Extension, “How Do Clean Plant Centers Produce Clean Grapevine Stock?” Have a few minutes? Watch this video to learn about propagation, testing, and therapy as they occur at clean plant centers. Watch now:

Penn State Extension 1 like. "How Do Clean Plant Centers Produce Clean Grapevine Stock?"

Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) on your mind? In a newly-published paper, FPS researchers present the results of a multi-year study evaluating detection timing of GRBV in sentinel vines planted in a vineyard known to have a high incidence of the virus. Led by Dr. Vicki Klaassen and Dr. Maher Al Rwahnih, the team tested leaf petioles at spring, summer, and fall timepoints and concluded that spring qPCR testing reliably identifies newly-positive vines, even before visual symptoms are evident. (Spring qPCR Provides Early Detection of Grapevine Red Blotch Virus Infection in Cabernet Franc Sentinel Vines | Phytopathology) https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-01-26-0014-SC

FPS now ships UCB #1 pistachio rootstock seed internationally and is exploring new markets for its high-quality seed. We were pleased to host Valeri Gorgisheli, president of GAU Georgian Agrarian Union საქართველოს აგრარული გაერთიანება, to visit the FPS laboratories and original UCB #1 mother trees today. Companies like GAU are looking for high-quality, true-to-type seed, and we value every opportunity to connect with them and respond to their needs.