The kiwifruit disease Pseudomona Syringae Actinidiae (Psa-V) has spread more aggressively around New Zealand orchards than originally estimated by authorities, according to kiwifruit grower, Seeka Kiwifruit Industries. In its latest update on the state of the Psa-V outbreak, the company says, “The disease has continued to spread throughout the Te Puke growing region and has now spread to the Matapihi area, north of the Papamoa Hills.
“This is seen to be a significant deterioration in the situation, with spread of the disease outside the previously affected geographic areas. Generally across the industry detections have increased, with 19 Psa-V confirmations in the last week. A total of 170 orchards have now been affected across a wide area.
“The Gold variety continues to be particularly susceptible to the disease with secondary infections seen in the green variety in only a small number of incidences. The spread over the winter months has been more aggressive than expected.”
The company also notes that laboratory-confirmed symptoms of Psa-V have been identified on 200 hectares of orchards belonging to its suppliers. The disease has the potential to make a “serious impact on Seeka’s future earnings”, the report says.
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