The vine-killing disease Psa-V is continuing to spread with 74 more kiwifruit orchards identified with the infection this week.

Most are in Katikati with 36 new infections, there are 19 in Tauranga West; four in Coromandel; four in Franklin; three in Tauranga East; one in Opotiki; four in Coromandel; three in Waikato; two provisional discoveries is Whangarei, and one in Kerikeri.

The vine-killing disease Psa-V is continuing to spread.

In addition Kiwifruit Vine Health has received two more provisional Psa-V positive test results on orchards in the Whangarei region, bringing the total number of provisional Psa-V positive orchards in the Whangarei region to three. Verification processes are continuing.

The provisional ‘Whangarei Controlled Area' established last week remains in place and includes all orchards in the Whangarei region. A map of the area is available for growers on the KVH website.

KVH has received a Psa-V positive test result on an orchard near Tuakau in the Franklin region. This orchard is outside of the existing controlled areas and brings the total number of Psa-V positive orchards in the Franklin region to 22.

The existing ‘Franklin controlled area' has been extended to include all orchards in the Franklin region, including those in the Clevedon and Pukekohe areas.

Kiwifruit Vine Health is restricting information about the Psa-V presence on G3, G14 and G9 vines to the restricted area of its website. Information about the progression of Psa-V through licenced variety blocks is also restricted.

The 74 new psa-V infections identified this week brings the total infected orchards to1887, with the infection affecting 8964 canopy hectares.

Infected orchards have on average 65 per cent of their canopy area blighted by psa-V.

Zespri grower road shows are being held in the Western BOP over Monday and Tuesday.

Monday: Katikati Rugby Club, Moore Park, Fairview Road, Katikati 9.30am – 11.30am

Te Puke; The Orchard Church, 20 MacLoughlin Road, Te Puke 2.00pm to 4.00pm

Tauranga – Organic Focused Tauranga RSA (Fahys), 1237 Cameron Road, Greerton 5.30pm – 7.30pm.

Tuesday: Te Puke, The Orchard Church, 20 MacLoughlin Road, Te Puke 9.30am – 11.30am

Katikati; Katikati Rugby Club, Moore Park, Fairview Road, Katikati 2.00pm - 4.00pm.

Psa is stressful: a Tauranga seminar for growers Monday December 3, from 4–5pm at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 90 Bethlehem Road. Presented by Aubrey Quinn of Turning Point Trust and Leanne Dunne of Tauranga Psychological Services.

R&D grower update meeting sponsored by ANZ Tuesday 4 December, 4–6pm, The Orchard Church, Te Puke. Agenda to be confirmed closer to the date in the Psa Bulletin and on the KVH website.