NZ Kiwifruit Industry – Psa information update 23/11/10

ZESPRI UPDATE

5.00pm 23 November 2010

New Zealand Kiwifruit Industry – Psa information update

LATEST INFORMATION:

Statistics

Of the total orchards inspected by trained assessors (n=485), 14% have been put on a Restricted Place Notice (n=70).

Of the total test results received to date (n=344), approximately 80% have come back as negative.

Positive tests for Psa have increased from 61 to 67 orchards – the new Psa-positive orchards are in Te Puke

The majority of the Psa-positive orchards are within a 23km area south of Te Puke township, with Psa-positive tests also coming back from orchards based in Hawke’s Bay, Tauranga, Whakatane/Edgecumbe, Waikato, Golden Bay and Motueka.

20 orchards out of the 67 confirmed are GREEN orchards (30%).

Some growers under a Restricted Place Notice are taking action on their own orchards to cut back affected vines, and they’re doing this in conjunction with MAF to follow correct hygiene and disposal procedures.

ZESPRI has received 1275 emails through its Grower Contact Centre – approximately 45% are reporting suspected symptoms (which are immediately being followed up) and 55% are emailing to report that their orchard is clear of Psa symptoms

Key information for growers

Adopt recommended orchard hygiene practices, regularly monitor your orchard for Psa symptoms and keep updated on the latest information via The Canopy (www.zespricanopy.com) and your ZESPRI/packhouse grower representatives.

If you see Stage 1 symptoms (leaf spotting) on your orchard, go to The Canopy and refer to the ‘Overview of Monitoring Process’ Guide. You will need to complete the ‘Symptom Monitoring Sheet’ and take digital photos of the infected leaves and email these to contactcanopy@zespri.com. You may choose to spray copper over the block where the symptoms are found (at own cost) while you await further advice from ZESPRI or AsureQuality. If a trained assessor takes leaf samples from your orchard and the test comes back positive, then you should apply copper spray (at own cost) to reduce bacteria advancement.

If you see Stage 2 symptoms (leaf wilting, dieback and/or exudate), go to The Canopy, complete the ‘Symptom Monitoring Sheet’ and email the completed sheet and digital photos to contactcanopy@zespri.com. Spray copper over affected blocks, prepare to cutback vines by tagging affected areas and await further advice from an independent assessor. The cutback decision will depend on the independent assessment. These growers can then apply for funding (through a process yet to be determined).

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR MEDIA:

For future updates of Psa statistics and information, all media are encouraged to go to www.zespri.com/psa. Information on this site will be updated daily.

Should there be any major industry announcements, a media statement or media release will be issued to media via email as per previous ZESPRI communications.

ENDS

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