What was it all about?

This investment protected Australia’s citrus industry by maintaining a secure supply of high-health, true-to-type citrus propagation material through the National Citrus Repository Program.  

The program maintained 114 publicly owned citrus varieties and rootstocks, regularly tested them for viruses, viroids and other disease threats, and introduced 22 new varieties into the repository between 2021 and 2026. This work ensured that clean planting material remained available for nurseries and growers across the industry.

The project supported two biosecure repository sites in New South Wales and carried out ongoing pathogen testing, disease monitoring and tree maintenance. New citrus selections underwent rigorous testing and, where needed, pathogen elimination before entering the repository. The project also supported the supply of budwood and rootstock material through the Auscitrus propagation scheme, with 3.9 million buds of public varieties distributed over the past five years.  

The project found no evidence of major exotic citrus diseases in repository trees and confirmed the ongoing value of the National Citrus Repository as a key biosecurity asset for the industry. It will continue to support grower access to healthy planting material, reduce the risk of disease spread, and strengthen industry preparedness should a major citrus disease incursion occur. Extension activities, publications and industry presentations also increased awareness of the importance of using health-tested citrus nursery stock to protect orchards and support future production.