Seen something unusual? MAKE A REPORT
Ceratocystis fimbriata is a fungal pathogen causing widespread damage to the Brazilian kiwifruit industry (see KVH Bulletin, 20 Feb). The disease is of significant concern to the New Zealand kiwifruit industry and efforts are being made to increase our understanding of the disease—both to prevent it from entering our borders and to effectively manage it should it arrive.
Efforts that are being made to understand this pathogen include:
A full literature review on Ceratocystis fimbriata on kiwifruit and other crops by an international expert in this field. This report is due in early 2015 and will include;
Another research project being developed will use molecular techniques to determine the similarity of the Brazilian kiwifruit strain with the strain found in New Zealand kumara. This project would identify any underlying basis for differences in pathogenicity between the strains and would result in a DNA based detection test.
KVH investigates reports of unusual symptoms to identify and manage any biosecurity risks.
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