A1: If you notice Psa symptoms on your orchard, tag and date the suspicious vine. If you are associated with a kiwifruit packhouse, contact your packhouse Psa manager for confirmation. If the symptoms are typical of Psa, the packhouse will organise sampling and testing. Refer to the KVH fact sheets Psa-V Sampling, Psa Symptoms Guide and Identification of Psa Symptoms or contact KVH 0800 665 825.

If you are not associated with a kiwifruit packhouse, you can either take the samples yourself or organise for a sampler from one of the labs to collect them for you. Contact either Hill Laboratories or Verified Lab Services (VLS) for this service.



 

A2: A sample will only show the status of the vines sampled at that point in time. A ‘not detected’ result does not necessarily indicate your orchard or nursery is Psa-free. It only indicates no Psa-V was able to be detected on the sample(s) tested. Continue to monitor your plants regularly for any symptoms typical of Psa and contact KVH on 0800 665 825 if you have any concerns.
 

A3: From 17 January 2013 KVH will pay for testing of samples sent from the following regions only.

• Kerikeri
• Whangarei
• North-West Auckland
• Hawkes Bay
• Poverty Bay
• Wanganui-Horowhenua
• South Island

The following conditions will apply:

• KVH will pay for the sample testing if the KPIN does not already have a confirmed Psa-V result (for any kiwifruit variety on that KPIN).
• If the symptoms have been confirmed as typical of Psa by a packhouse Psa manager, KVH will pay for the first two ‘not detected’ results.

KVH will not pay for repeated testing when the results are ‘not detected’. Once a KPIN has had two ‘not detected’ results KVH will not normally pay for further testing of that KPIN. However, if you believe there are extenuating circumstances, please contact KVH on 0800 665 825 to discuss before taking further samples. Further testing may be approved on a case-by-case basis.

Once a KPIN has been confirmed Psa-V positive on any variety, KVH will not pay for any further testing on that KPIN. Growers wishing to test other varieties on the same KPIN must pay for further testing.

For those regions where KVH is not paying for testing packhouse Psa managers are reminded to report orchard status by notification to KVH of visual verification of Psa-V. Our regional maps will then reflect an accurate status for each region. Please email info@kvh.org.nz or call KVH on 0800 665 825.
 

A4: Yes. However, if a grower goes direct to a lab, the invoice will be sent to the grower. If the orchard is already Psa-V positive and a further sample is requested by the grower, the invoice will also be sent to the grower to pay.

All nursery samples will be invoiced to the nursery unless KVH has requested and organised for a sample to be taken.

A5: Follow the Psa-V sampling procedures in the KVH factsheet Psa-V Sampling. Contact the lab and follow their instructions. If you wish to send your sample to Hill Laboratories they will send you a pack containing sampling bags and a free courier pack to return your sample in. If you wish to send your sample to VLS you will need to obtain your own bags and organise and pay for a courier to deliver your sample. You can also deliver your samples to the lab(s) yourself.

A6: You will be contacted by phone with the results and a copy of the test will be emailed to the email address you have supplied. This information may come from either KVH or your packhouse Psa manager.
 

A7: Generally KVH receives the results within two to three working days. You will be advised of the results as soon as they are received.
 

A8: ‘Not detected’ means there were no Psa-V bacteria found on the sample taken at that time. Continue to monitor your plants and note any changes. Contact your packhouse or KVH on 0800 665 825 or email info@kvh.org.nz  if you find other symptoms.
 

A9: Psa-V bacteria were not located on the current sample but Psa could still be present in your orchard.

A10: Contact KVH on 0800 665 825 or email info@kvh.org.nz or contact your packhouse.