‘US-Gallasch’: A New Citrus Rootstock 60 Years in the Making

Abstract

‘US-Gallasch’ is a new citrus rootstock released by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI) for wider testing in nurseries and by citrus growers. This hybrid selection was originally produced from a cross made in 1962, in the citrus breeding program of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) at Indio, CA, USA. The major positive attributes of this rootstock are excellent resistance to Citrus tristeza virus (CTV), salt tolerance, graft union compatibility, and induction of moderate tree size, with good productivity and fruit quality. ‘US-Gallasch’ can be uniformly and efficiently propagated by apomictic seed, showing desirable nursery growth characteristics. The release of this rootstock follows a long path from its original creation, with research on two continents and the revelation that this parental combination warrants closer consideration by rootstock breeders.