Harvest is underway in Chile with many growers still seeing lower volumes as they recover from the devastating spring frosts in September 2013. This frost resulted in around 60 percent reduction in Chilean export in 2014.
On Psa-V affected orchards, growers are seeing high levels of canker and dieback in Hayward. Hayward comprises more than 95 percent of kiwifruit plantings in Chile.
Psa-V is established in the Biobio, Maule and O’Higgins regions and appears to be progressing north. Psa-V has recently been confirmed in Chimarongo, which is around 25 kilometres north of the last mapped point.
SAG (Servicio Agricola Y Ganadero – the equivalent to NZ’s Ministry for Primary Industries) release their annual Psa statistics at the end of each year.
The Chilean Kiwifruit Committee met recently to review their recommendations to Chilean growers for Psa-V disease control and now include recommendations for products and rates for disease control. The recommended copper rates are higher than in New Zealand. The Committee intends to carry out research to determine minimum effective dosage under local conditions.
In Chile kiwifruit is typically one of a number of crops on a property. Other crops might include apples, table grapes, nectarines, cherries, walnuts, hazelnuts, plums and almonds. Soils are often heavy and a reasonable number of kiwifruit plantings are on raised ridges.
Photo credit: Lynda Hawes
KPMG have just released the 2015 Agribusiness Agenda and a world-class biosecurity system has been rated the number one priority by agribusiness industry leaders for the third consecutive year.
Scores indicate that biosecurity is even more important now than in 2014. The report states increasing global connectivity makes it critical to continuously reassess the most robust, cost effective biosecurity solutions for New Zealand; and the Biosecurity 2025 strategy review is a prime opportunity to bring some fresh collaborative thinking to biosecurity.
Over the coming weeks the first Biosecurity 2025 working group sessions will take place with KVH participating to ensure that the interests of our industry are included in the strategy.
Matt Dyck, KVH Biosecurity
KVH has a small stand at the Mystery Creek Fieldays and this year’s focus is on biosecurity. The stand displays real specimens of some of our most unwanted pests, including the Queensland Fruit Fly and the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug.
The KVH stand is located in the Zespri tent and KVH staff will be at the stand until Friday to discuss biosecurity, Psa-V management and any other questions from growers and the general public.
Photo: growers get up close and personal with a Queensland Fruit Fly.
Lara Harrison, KVH Communications
Budwood movement will be a focus for many suppliers and growers at this time of year. Please remember:
Karyn Lowry, KVH Operations
A trial was undertaken by Kawerau-based Plateau Bark to see if compost could be made using reject fruit (and associated debris) mixed with pulp waste from the Norske Skog Tasman Ltd pulp and paper mill.
The compost tested 'not detected' for Psa-V and kiwifruit seed was destroyed during the composting process.
John Mather, KVH Biosecurity
