Habitat Conservation
Assistance Network
Proactive Conservation for Working Lands

Produces, tests, maintains and distributes elite disease-tested plant propagation material

Provides plant importation and quarantine, disease testing, virus elimination, and DNA identification services
Coordinates release of UC-patented horticultural varieties
Links researchers, nurseries and producers

Foundation Plant Services (FPS) was established in 1958 to distribute virus-tested, professionally identified grape, fruit and nut tree propagation stock. Selections originated from University of California (UC) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) variety improvement programs. UC faculty and California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) scientists developed indexing techniques for detection of the most common virus diseases affecting production of these crops in California. Today, FPS has programs for grapes, strawberries, fruit and nut trees, roses, and sweet potatoes. The department is housed in the National Grapevine Importation and Clean Stock Facility, which was built with federal, state and industry funds in a cooperative effort to strengthen FPS programs. FPS works closely with CDFA to register and certify grapevines, fruit and nut trees, and strawberry plants. FPS research programs develop new techniques for disease detection and elimination to improve the quality of propagation materials.

UC provides the infrastructure and faculty support to FPS; operating expenses are provided from the agricultural communities served by FPS, through purchase of plant material, user fees, and contributions from industry funding agencies. The programs are primarily focused on the sale of disease-tested propagating stock to nurseries.

Contact Foundation Plant Services

Listed as:

• Seed / Seedling Suppliers