Rose is the newest specialty crop, and the first ornamental, to join the National Clean Plant Network. Launched in 2015, National Clean Plant Network for Roses (NCPN-R) held its organizational meeting in April of 2015, establishing a 16-person advisory board with representatives from the growing industry, the public garden sector, and university-based research and extension faculties.
The advisory board will meet again in June 2016 to determine a list of targeted pathogens and to establish protocols for combating viruses that have negative impact on the rose industry. It is anticipated that Rose mosaic virus will be among the top priorities for elimination from rose nursery stock. Foundation Plant Services at University of California, Davis is currently conducting virus testing and elimination for roses. To read more about the rose clean-up process, see the article by Dr. David Zlesak in the May 2015 issue of The American Nurseryman at
http://www.amerinursery-digital.com/May2016/Default/9/0/3098635#&pageSet=9&contentItem=3098635
“The best way to ensure positive impact is for rose industry members to take advantage of the NCPN-R resources and use clean stock for propagation,” states Dr. David Zlesak, rose breeder and Associate Professor of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-River Falls.