ISHS Acta Horticulturae 297: II International Symposium on Kiwifruit
BACTERIAL BLOSSOM BLIGHT OF KIWIFRUIT-A 5-YEAR SURVEY |
| Authors: | S.R. Pennycook, C.M. Triggs |
| Keywords: | Pseudomonas viridiflava, rainfall, support structure, pergola, T-bar |
| Abstract:
The incidence of symptoms of bacterial blossom blight, Pseudomonas viridiflava, was surveyed in kiwifruit orchards in the Te Puke district, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, during the years 1984–88. The survey was based on counts of the total number of blossoms, and the number of diseased blossoms, within 0.5 x 0.5 m quadrats of vine canopy, located according to a strict sampling procedure. Four quadrats were counted at each of 30 sampling locations per orchard block, and 6 blocks per orchard (except in smaller orchards) were surveyed at a time when approximately 50% of the blossoms had opened. In each year, at least 60 orchards were included in the survey, with some being re-surveyed in subsequent years to establish year-to-year benchmarks. The survey results refute exaggerated claims of disease incidence arising from previous undisciplined assessments, and establish the association of the disease with rainfall during the blossom period, with orchard location, topography, and altitude, and with different vine canopy support structures. | |
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