Kiwifruit growers now have another antibiotic product they can use to manage the disease Psa-V.

Last week, the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines group approved a limited label claim for the antibiotic product Kasumin.

The approval allows the antibiotic to only be used until one week before the first kiwifruit flowers (male or female) open in an orchard block – or until December 15, 2013 – whichever comes first.

The antibiotic KeyStrepto is also licensed for use on kiwifruit. The use of Kasumin on non-fruiting vines in the post-flowering period (or after December 15), is under review and a decision will be made before December 15.

Zespri growers must produce an approved Justified Approval (JA) request form to the retailer to be allowed to purchase Kasumin in 2013.

Non-Zespri growers also must produce a KVH Kasumin Approval Form to the retailer to be allowed to purchase Kasumin this year.

Orchard preparation prior to the use for Kasumin is identical to KeyStrepto – no flowers can be present in the grass sward, or on kiwifruit vines, prior to spraying.

KVH will carry out random audits of those who have Zespri Justified Approvals to use Kasumin. Site audits will be completed to ensure orchard requirements are met and also that growers have completed and signed their site inspection record.

Orchards that fail to meet the requirements will be passed on to Zespri to action, as part of its crop protection and GAP requirements.