Psa-V in Rotorua (update)

Rotorua's altitude and the recent wet weather has led to a positive Psa-V result in one of the district's two kiwifruit orchards.

The vine-killing bacteria has been found in almost 900 orchards across New Zealand.

Kiwifruit Vine Health general manager John Burke said the positive sample meant the Whakatane Priority Zone has been extended to include the Rotorua area, which means the orchards are now subject to containment.

He said the two orchards are beside Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotorua and are not major commercial growers.

"With the northeasterly winds we had this past year it spreads pretty easy and it's gone over the hills," Mr Burke said. "They're hobby orchards but the growers still care for their vines and it's upsetting for them. We're talking to them about the future because it is a difficult growing area. Rotorua is probably well-suited for Psa-V as the bacteria likes cold, wet conditions. We've found orchards at a higher altitude or with higher rainfall are more susceptible."

He said both orchards grow the green variety of kiwifruit.

The gold variety, Hort 16a, is likely to have just one more season as new, Psa-V resistant varieties are cultivated.

Psa-V has also been confirmed on orchards in Tauranga, Katikati, Waihi, Whakatane and Opotiki with 27 per cent of New Zealand's vines affected in the past 12 months.

Psa-V is believed to be spread by wind, rain and plant material. It is also believed to be spread by footwear, vehicles and orchard tools.

Mr Burke said the Psa-V found on the Rotorua orchard may only affect a small part of their vines.

"It's devastating for everyone," Mr Burke said. "We want everyone to keep an eye out for signs and symptoms as it's a gradual process."