Psa-V found on Northland orchard

Psa-V, the most virulent form of the vine disease has been found on a Northland orchard.

Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH) has received a Psa-V positive test result on a male vine in an Enza Gold orchard in Kerikeri.

This is the first confirmed case of Psa-V in the Northland region.

KVH chief executive Barry O'Neil said it was "a big blow'' to the kiwifruit industry to learn Psa-V had spread to Northland.

He said the disease was likely to have been present but undetected in the region for several months.

"Like other regions recently confirmed with Psa-V, based on the symptoms seen in Kerikeri we believe it has been undetected in the area for six months or more. It's likely to have been inadvertently introduced into the area through the movement of plant material or infected orchard equipment.''

KVH has established a `controlled area' around the infected orchard. This controlled area includes 102 orchards in the Kerikeri region.

KVH said the growers within the newly established controlled area were being advised of the situation and a meeting will be held on Monday, October 29.

Mr O'Neil Psa-V symptoms were more evident at this time of year.

"Spring is when kiwifruit vines break from winter dormancy and Psa-V symptoms are much more visible. The finding in Kerikeri is another reminder that Psa-V could be present, but undetected, in other kiwifruit-growing regions,'' he said.

"Therefore it is essential growers do all they can to protect their orchards, even if the signs of Psa-V have not yet  been identified in their area.''

"Given the distance between Kerikeri and the closest infected orchard in Franklin, this find is disappointing for the industry and will be a big blow to growers in the region."

KVH said the growers within the newly established controlled area were being advised of the situation and a meeting will be held on Monday, October 29.

For information about best-practice orchard management protocols, see the Grower sections on the KVH website www.kvh.org.nz.