As advised in previous KVH Bulletins, KVH has been undertaking Spray Diary analysis over the last month looking at the use of Psa-V protectants throughout the country over the last growing season.

Through this analysis, a number of KPINs that have not applied any of the listed Psa-V protectant sprays to their crops have been identified. KVH will work with packhouses and the growers to identify the reason no protectants have been applied.
 

Kocide® Opti™ now has a full-label claim for the control of Psa. This was approved by the ACVM group of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on 31 July 2014. Kocide® Opti™ is a copper hydroxide product which may be applied throughout the year within a Psa-V management programme. It should not be applied to open flowers. The recommended application rate for dilute spraying is 70–90gms/100L.

HORTCARE® Copper Hydroxide 300 also received a new registration from ACVM on 1 August 2014 with a limited label claim granted for the control of Psa-V. When dilute spraying the recommended application rate for this product is 50-90gms/100L through the budbreak to harvest period; and 70–90gms/100L through the post-harvest and dormancy periods. Again, avoid application to open flowers.

The KVH Recommended Product List has been updated to include these products and they will also be included in the 2014-2015 ZESPRI Crop Protection Standard for Psa control.

As KeyStrepto™ has been granted a limited label claim by ACVM, there is no longer a requirement for KVH to complete auditing prior to KeyStrepto™ application. Meeting the conditions of use for KeyStrepto is  100 percent grower responsibility.

KeyStrepto™ must not be applied within seven days of the first kiwifruit flowers opening (male or female). Open flowers should be kept to an absolute minimum in the sward by mowing and/or applying herbicides if required.

Before applying KeyStrepto™ a Site Inspection Record must be completed by whoever is responsible for the orchard. This Site Inspection Record is available from the KVH website here. KVH is currently reviewing its apporach to random auditing this year.

It’s important the use conditions for KeyStrepto™ are adhered to, as misuse could pose significant risk to the continued use of this valuable tool within the kiwifruit industry.

Last week a nursery applying for Kiwifruit Plant Certification Scheme (KPCS) certification was found to have Psa-V for the first time.  It was detected by KVH during testing which is part of the certification process.

The result follows a severe weather event in the region and comes as a disappointment for the nursery which had been following KVH Protocols and working towards the Core Standard with many systems in place to achieve certification.

KVH is working with the nursery to manage the risks and assist with recovery over the longer term; along with tracing of plant movement, contacting affected growers and working with regional coordinators in these areas.

Nurseries selling plants under the KPCS must pass an external systems audit and have independent verification they are free of the target pests and diseases.

KVH continues to work with kiwifruit nurseries to improve biosecurity practices and certify them under the KPCS Core Standard. By purchasing certified plants, growers have assurance they are investing in the best possible start when establishing new vines.
 

Mandatory monitoring should be taking place in Exclusion and Containment regions over the next two weeks, with reporting due to KVH by 10 September 2014.

Information from these rounds is important to KVH. Firstly, to confirm Exclusion regions are still clear of Psa-V symptoms; and secondly, to track progression, if any, on Psa-V positive orchards in Containment regions.

To simplify reporting for growers, KVH has an online monitoring reporting form for growers available on the website. This easy-to-use tool allows growers to submit monitoring results for each variety on their orchard. Click here to access the online reporting tool.
 

KVH records show a number of ‘Not Detected’ orchards have been requesting plants from Psa-V positive nurseries. Movement controls prohibit this; and therefore requests for these movements are declined.

To ensure KVH records are accurate and growers are not disadvantaged, it is important growers notify KVH if Psa-V symptoms are showing on an orchard for the first time. Visual verification of Psa-V symptoms from suitably qualified people (i.e. Packhouse Psa Managers) will be accepted in lieu of lab-testing.

Growers have a legal obligation under the NPMP to notify KVH within 48 hours if their orchard shows Psa-V symptoms for the first time.

Postharvest operators in Recovery regions have recently been sent a list of their growers who are still recorded as ‘Not Detected’. If you are unsure of your status please contact your packhouse or KVH on 0800 665 825.

Click here to read a KVH Information Sheet on Psa-V Sample Collection and Testing
 

KVH will meet with growers in Hawkes Bay and Nelson immediately following the scheduled KISP grower road shows. KVH and Zespri representatives will advise local growers on best practice advice moving into spring and protective spray programmes.

Hawkes Bay
Monday 25 August at The Duke of Gloucester, 389 Gloucester Street, Taradale
10.15am – 12.15pm (KISP Meeting)
12.15 – 12.45 (KVH meeting)

Nelson
Monday 1 September at Top 10 Holiday Park, 10 Fearon Street, Motueka
11.30am – 1.30pm (KISP Meeting)
1.30pm – 2pm (KVH meeting)

Click here for a full schedule of the KISP grower road shows