The first steps in germplasm evaluation after establishment of the collection involves the proper identification and/or verification of each species or cultivar. Initial verification will be done by classical botanical and horticultural methods. Molecular characterization of citrus accessions utilizing micro-satellite markers is currently being done in cooperation with Dr. Mikeal Roose, Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, UCR.

Gene descriptor lists have been developed for use in evaluating accessions. These lists include 66 traits of primary importance to the users of the germplasm. Examples include: resistance to important insects and diseases, tolerance to extremes in environmental conditions, ease of propagation, early or late fruit harvest, and fruit quality. Information for these records will be obtained from field observations of Repository personnel and by cooperating research personnel at various institutions.