Articles
BACTERIAL BLOSSOM BLIGHT OF KIWIFRUIT-A 5-YEAR SURVEY
Article number
297_73
Pages
559 – 566
Language
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.
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.
Publication
Authors
S.R. Pennycook, C.M. Triggs
Keywords
Pseudomonas viridiflava, rainfall, support structure, pergola, T-bar
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