Unpruned orchards create risk

KVH is investigating reports of two unpruned kiwifruit orchards – one near Whakatane and the other in Northwest Auckland. Under the National Psa-V Pest Management Plan (NPMP) kiwifruit vines in an orchard must be winter pruned and tied down by 1 October each year.

Unpruned orchards can quickly become heavily layered, damp and infected with Psa-V. The vines can then be a source of inoculum infecting neighbouring orchards; and costs to bring the orchard back to a managed state will increase exponentially. KVH will inspect all orchards reported as unpruned and very likely impose a defined timeframe in which pruning must be completed. Other aspects of orchard management will be reviewed. If growers are unable to meet any NPMP requirements around pruning, picking fruit or application of KVH approved protectant products, they are encouraged to contact KVH as soon as possible. It is better to discuss any adverse event affecting orchard management sooner rather than later so a pragmatic solution can be agreed. If you are aware of an unmanaged kiwifruit orchard please contact John Mather, Compliance Officer, at KVH at [email protected].