PM 4/17 (3) Certification scheme for olive trees and rootstocks

The certification scheme for pathogen-tested trees and rootstocks of olive (Olea europaea) provides detailed guidance on the production of propagated varieties to be grown on their own roots, of vegetatively propagated or seedling rootstocks, and of grafted trees. Although the production of grafted plants is covered in this scheme, it should be noted that, in practice, olive plants are mainly produced by rooting shoots in appropriate rooting conditions. Plant material produced according to this certification scheme is derived from nuclear-stock plants that have been tested and found to be free from the following pathogens: Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV), Cherry leaf roll virus (CLRV), Strawberry latent ringspot virus (SLRSV), Verticillium dahliae and Xylella fastidiosa and produced under conditions minimizing infestation by other pests. Certified olive material for export should in any case satisfy the phytosanitary regulations of importing countries, especially with respect to any of the pathogens covered by the scheme which are also quarantine pests. The scheme is presented according to the general sequence proposed by the EPPO Panel on Certification of Fruit Crops and adopted by EPPO Council (EPPO, 1992).