The kiwifruit vine-killing disease Psa-V has been found on a Waikato kiwifruit orchard.
The South Waikato Hort16A Gold kiwifruit orchard tested positive for the Psa-V disease. The orchard was near Te Awamutu.
This is the first reported case of Psa-V in the Waikato region.
Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH) confirmed a second Waikato orchard, near the infected orchard, also showed Psa-V secondary symptoms. KVH said samples had been taken from the orchard and were being tested.
A controlled area has been set up within a 12 kilometre radius of the infected orchard.
This affects 26 other kiwifruit growers.
KVH chief executive, Barry O'Neil, said news of the spread of Psa-V into the Waikato region was ``very concerning''.
He said the spread of the disease showed all kiwifruit varieties in any region were at risk of contracting the disease.
``This latest incursion highlights the importance of vigilant orchard hygiene and a crop protection programme for all growers,'' he said.
``Without on-going protection, growers run the risk of allowing Psa-V to enter their orchards. Growers must not be complacent about the risk of Psa-V.''
Mr O'Neil said growers must to ``all they can'' to protect their orchards.
He advised growers to maintain strict orchard hygiene procedures and implement and maintain a protective spray programme.
He said orchardists should ``extensively'' monitor their vines and report any suspicious Psa-V symptoms to KVH.
Today, KVH representatives were in the controlled area and conducted extensive monitoring of orchards.
Mr O'Neil said an incursion trace-back investigation would be carried out to understand how the infection arrived in the Waikato.
He said a plan for the region would be developed in consultation with local growers.
Mr O'Neil, said no kiwifruit plant material, including budwood and nursery stock, along with any potentially contaminated orchard equipment, could be moved out of the controlled area.
More information about best-practice orchard management protocols can be found on the KVH website www.kvh.org.nz.