Kiwifruit vine disease Psa-V has been discovered for the first time in an orchard in the Hawke’s Bay region of New Zealand.
Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH) - a pan industry organisation established to address the outbreak of Psa-V – announced last Friday (12/10) a controlled area that included43 orchardshad been established around the orchard where the disease had been detected.
KVH chief executive Barry O’Neil said news of the spread of Psa-V into the Hawke’s Bay was disappointing. “Psa is without doubt a major challenge and it’s having a huge impact on growers. Unfortunately autumn and spring are times of the year when we see the very worst of both its spread and impacts.” Wet and windy conditions increase the spread of the disease.
“Based on the symptoms seen in the orchard, it is possible infection may have been present, but undetected in the area, for at least six months prior to identification this week,” said O’Neil. “In many cases, symptoms are not visible for some time after infection, particularly over the winter dormancy period. Therefore, growers can’t afford to be complacent, and should act as though Psa-V could be present in their area. Growers must be proactive to protect their orchards. Doing nothing is not an option,” said O'Neil.
KVH representatives are now working with growers to ensure extensive monitoring of orchards is carried out. A plan for the region will be developed in consultation with local growers and industry.
Psa-V is now present in orchards in the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, Waikato and South Auckland regions, but has not yet been discovered in the Poverty Bay, Whanganui and Nelson growing regions.
It is currently estimated that Psa-V will cost the industry between NZ$740m-NZ$885m (US$604-US$722) over the next 15 years.
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