Nineteen new orchards have tested positive for the Kiwifruit vine disease Psa-V, with two in the Tauranga area.

The total number of orchards now confirmed with Psa-V is sitting at 170,280 orchards testing positive for Psa.

A Psa infected leaf.

The Gold kiwifruit variety is still particularly susceptible, while secondary infections have been seen in the Green variety in only a small number of cases.

Kiwifruit Vine Health Inc has established a new priority zone in Tauranga, including Papamoa, Mataphi and part of Welcome Bay to Ohauiti Road.

The organisation is reporting on its website that the high risk areas now include the whole Whakatane/Edgecumbe area, Tauranga (all KIPNs excluding those in the newly established priority zone) and the whole of Katikati.

KIPN is a four digit Kiwifruit Property Identification Number used to identify a property on which kiwifruit is produced.

KVH general manager John Burke says the increase is due to growers reporting symptoms as the sap falls.

'What we are dealing with is an air born bacterial disease and with the recent weather, it's not to be unexpected (to see more symptoms).”

John says growers need to lookout for each other, especially now during such a stressful time.

'We urge growers to report symptoms, treat their orchards to stop the spread of plant material.”