Late harvest and unfavourable weather has led to Kiwifruit Vine Health Incorporated extending its leaf drop and wound protection subsidy for kiwifruit growers.

The leaf scar protectant spray subsidy round is extended until Friday, July 15.

A leaf showing symptoms of the Psa infection.

KVH communications manager Annette Scullion says the spray subsidy has been extended due to an orchard being confirmed with Psa-V on the northern side of Te Puke.

'The idea behind increasing the area is to allow a buffer zone between Psa-V infected Te Puke orchards and uninfected Tauranga orchards,” says Annette.

She says the spray subsidy is to support growers to protect their orchards through KVH assistance.

The extended subsidy will apply to all growers in the Te Puke region and growers in the now extended high risk area: Papamoa, Matapihi and part of Welcome Bay.

KVH encourages growers to apply a cooper sulphate to hasten leaf drop and then apply leaf scar protectant.