Yet another kiwifruit growing region has fallen victim to the aggressive bacterial disease Psa-V with a provisional positive test result from a gold vine in an orchard near Maungatapere in the Whangarei region.

The find comes as the industry marks the second anniversary of the discovery of the disease in Te Puke on November 5, 2010.

A controlled area area around Maungatapere in the Whangarei region.

Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH) says a verification process is underway and the result is expected on Friday.

Assuming the result is confirmed Psa-V positive, this will be the first confirmed case of Psa-V in the Whangarei region.

Before the latest find, Zespri chairman John Loughlin said he is bitterly disappointed the disease been found in the Waikato, South Auckland, Hawke's Bay and Kerikeri.

'It was hoped outlying regions could hold the markets open for gold while the recovery was underway in the Bay. We may still be able to do that but will not be as strong as we wanted to be.

'When you have bacteria that doubles every 20 minutes, and is highly prone to being blown around in cold wet conditions, the probability of protecting neighbouring areas is slight. However, it had been hoped geographic barriers would keep it out.”

KVH has established a provisional ‘Whangarei controlled area' around the affected orchard. This controlled area includes 32 orchards near Maungatapere in the Whangarei region. A map of the area is available for growers on the KVH website at www.kvh.org.nz/maps.

The growers within the newly established controlled area are being advised of the situation. KVH will hold a meeting for Whangarei growers on Friday.

KVH Chief Executive Barry O'Neil says the test result is likely to be Psa-V positive.

'The symptoms on the vine sample are consistent with Psa-V symptoms. As part of the KVH verification process in new regions, the sample is tested by two laboratories before we can confirm a positive result. At this stage only one laboratory has returned positive results.”

Growers in the provisional Whangarei controlled area are being advised the following.

• Monitor orchards extensively and report any suspicious Psa-V symptoms to KVH on 0800 665 825.
• Implement and maintain a protective spray programme.
• Maintain strict orchard hygiene procedures.
• No kiwifruit plant material, including budwood and nursery stock, along with any potentially contaminated orchard equipment, can be moved out of this area.

KVH representatives are working with growers to ensure extensive monitoring of orchards is carried out.

The provisional Whangarei Controlled Area Protocols document is available on the KVH website www.kvh.org.nz/movement_controls.

For more information about best-practice orchard management protocols, see the Grower sections on the KVH website www.kvh.org.nz.