New Zealand kiwifruit marketer ZESPRI and the research body fighting Psa in New Zealand, Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH), are coordinating an international research effort to combat the disease Pseudomonas syringae pv. Actinidiae (Psa). Psa was discovered in New Zealand for the first time late last year, resulting in the creation of KVH a joint project between ZESPRI, MAF Biosecurity NZ, Plant & Food Research and Kiwifruit Growers NZ to meet the challenge to the kiwifruit industry.
The newly announced research project will involve 50 specific research initiatives including New Zealand and international scientists and research organisations, exploring the best methods for managing or eliminating Psa. These efforts will focus on four areas of research: detection, biology, orchard management, and disease control.
The project includes existing research efforts, some of which are already concluded, and current funding of $4.6 million for the 2011 financial year.
“The New Zealand kiwifruit industry, like others around the world, is under significant pressure from Psa. We have a period of uncertainty ahead of us as we learn more about Psa and how to manage it,” commented ZESPRI CEO Lain Jager.
“While the impact of Psa is likely to get worse before it gets better I’m confident that the kiwifruit industry, with its record of innovation and cooperation, will overcome Psa and resume its long-term growth plans,” Jager added.
KVH general manager John Burke says there were now 229 confirmed cases of Psa within New Zealand, with 107 orchards confirmed as having the virulent strain of Psa, known as Psa-V. All of the confirmed Psa-V cases continue to be confined to two priority zones in the wider Te Puke area.
However, this week there have been preliminary positive Psa-V tests returned for four orchards outside the Te Puke Psa priority zones. Three of those orchards are in the wider Te Puke area, and one is in Gisborne.
A second test is now underway to confirm these results. The detected orchards and surrounding orchards are taking the appropriate steps to minimise the spread of the disease.
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