Waiting for the axe to fall..............

Psa (Pseudomonas syringae pv actinidiae) is a bacterial kiwifruit vine disease. It was noticed in New Zealand and in our area in November 2110. Since then it has spread rapidly, at first mostly attacking the Gold Kiwifruit vines, but now rampant amongst the green varieties as well.

It can result in the death of the kiwifruit vines but carries no risk to human or animal health and does not affect plants other than kiwifruit. Psa is believed to be spread by weather events, namely wind and rain, and plant material. It is also believed to be spread by footwear, vehicles and orchard tools.

It is present in some countries overseas and has probably entered the country on infected plant material. We have very strict Agricultural control at our airports and ports, so strict that many visitors are surprised, but being a country that relies on our horticultural and dairy industries we are very vulnerable.

I have blogged before about our own kiwifruit orchard. Here, here and here.

If you have time, visit those links to see photos of our orchard, and you will see how devastating it will be if we get the disease in our vines.

So far our vines are clear of the disease, but further up our road there is an infected orchard. Most think it is only a matter of time. There is no cure.  If Psa is found, the vines all have to be ripped out and burned. 

Our orchard is 32 years old so the vines are large plants. 

We are just hoping that the disease will bypass us. Scientists are working frantically to come up with a cure or spray that will shield the plants but as yet there is no protection available.