Friday, 06 November 2020 08:24

NZ kiwifruit sector on alert for mysterious Italian disease

Written by  Mark Daniel
Kiwi Vine Decline Syndrome (KVDS) is having a devastating impact on crops in Italy. Kiwi Vine Decline Syndrome (KVDS) is having a devastating impact on crops in Italy.

New Zealand's kiwifruit industry is on alert following reports of a mystery disease that is sweeping through Italian orchards.

First spotted as far back as 2012, “Moria” or “Die-off” is first seen when leaves start wilting and then fall off the plant over the next 12 to 14 days. This leaves the fruit exposed to sunlight. 

Scientists from Italy’s Council for Agricultural Research and Economics have compared the disease to coronavirus. However, it warns that once symptoms appear: “it’s already too late.”

This is because in the initial stages of the infection, the roots darken and rot – before any above ground signs appear. Once this happens, plants will usually die over a 12 to 24-month period.

Since these first symptoms were spotted nearly a decade ago, it is estimated that around 20% of Italy’s national crop has been affected. In some areas, such as Verona, where the disease was first seen, the problem has hit an astonishing 84% of crops.

Dubbed Kiwi Vine Decline Syndrome (KVDS) by the scientific community, currently there is no known cause. However, theories suggest causal agents such as fungi, bacteria, soil composition or oxygen levels. 

The industry reports that there have been many pathogens identified in sick vines. However, not one has been identified in all the samples analysed.

There are also claims that the cause might be global warming, with recent European summers topping 30 degrees C – up to 5 degrees C more than the 25 to 27 degree range that kiwifruit prefer.

In many cases, growers have destroyed and removed affected rootstock, only to find that new plantings have succumbed to the disease within one or two years. Compounding the problem, the disease appears to affect both old and new vines – as well as plants on virgin or long-term cultivated ground and individual plants within orchards.

The Italian industry is the world’s second largest kiwifruit producer after China, delivering around 555,000 tonnes in 2018. In September, the Italian Government established a taskforce to look more closely at the problem.

Symptoms have also been observed in France, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Japan and China, although the spread seems to be at a much lower rate than in Italy. Meanwhile, in other parts of Italy – especially areas seeing higher temperatures – apple trees are also dying.

Meanwhile, a fungus has decimated Italy’s pear harvest and a bacterium is killing olive trees.

Zespri head of global science innovation Dr Juliet Ansell says it is monitoring the situation overseas closely. 

Members of its team are involved in an industry-wide taskforce recently formed by Zespri and its SunGold kiwifruit partners. The taskforce will address the challenges thrown up by the disease, while also developing tools to support growers.

Already aware of the financial impact of the bacterial disease Psa in 2010, which is estimated to have cost the NZ industry $885m, Ansell says NZ’s kiwifruit sector must remain vigilant around biosecurity. 

Currently, Kiwifruit Vine Health is working to strengthen biosecurity pathway plans throughout the NZ kiwifruit industry.

More like this

Kiwifruit sector's big night out

The turmoil and challenges faced by the kiwifruit industry in the past 30 years were put to one side but not forgotten at a glitzy night for 400 kiwifruit growers and guests in Mt Maunganui recently.

Kiwifruit sector celebrates three milestones

Over 400 of New Zealand’s stalwart kiwifruit growers gathered in Mount Maunganui this week for a celebration to recognise three major milestones in the industry’s history.

Featured

Editorial: Will big be better?

OPINION: The shakeup to the science sector with the proposed merger of four ag related crown research institutes (CRIs) into one conglomerate has drawn little public reaction.

Co-op boosts chilled exports to China

Alliance Group has secured greater access for chilled beef exports to China, following approval for two of its processing plants to supply the market.

Expo set to deliver in spades

The countdown is on to be one of the most anticipated events in the sheep and beef industry, the East Coast Farming Expo.

New Summerfruit NZ CEO

Dean Smith has been in the role of CEO of Summerfruit NZ for about four months, having succeeded Kate Hellstrom at the end of September.

FE survey underway

Beef + Lamb NZ wants farmers to complete a survey that will shed light on the financial toll of facial eczema (FE) at the farm level.

National

$8b export milestone

Horticulture Minister Nicola Grigg says she takes her hat off to all NZ growers for the hard yards they have…

Temptation Valley makes a splash

Later this month, Ardgour Valley Orchards apricots will burst onto the world stage and domestic supermarket shelves under the Temptation…

Helping develop, grow markets

While NZ Avocado is not directly involved in selling fruit, it does have a significant role in supporting exporters to…

Machinery & Products

Sorting unwashed potatoes made easy

Downs, a leader in potato reception, automated sorting, and storage, has introduced its new high-throughput optical sorter for unwashed potatoes…

Jumbo X saves time and money

A winner of a prestigious ‘Technical Innovations 2024’ award by FederUnacoma at the EIMA show in Italy, the Maschio Jumbo…

NH unveils specialty tractor

New Holland recently showcased its new-generation T4.120 F specialty tractor, giving New Zealand customers a closer look at the winner…

Combining track and tyre

While the last fifty years has seen massive evolution and development of the humble tractor tyre, the last two decades…

Croplands goes nuts with Nelson

Croplands and Nelson Manufacturing Company Inc, a California-based manufacturer of air-blast sprayers, has announced a new distribution partnership to deliver…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Ruth reckons

OPINION: Ruth Richardson, architect of the 1991 ‘Mother of all Budgets’ and the economic reforms dubbed ‘Ruthanasia’, added her two…

Veg, no meat?

OPINION: Why do vegans and others opposed to eating meat try to convince others that a plant based diet is…

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter