"Drought breaker" rain welcomed in New Zealand"
Most are welcoming the much needed rain with open arms, though some are being slightly cautious. The increased moisture means that kiwifruit growers will need to be on the lookout for the spread of PSA.
Following declaration of an adverse event due to drought in Northland on February 27, South Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay regions were declared in drought on March 6. A declaration of drought across the entire North Island followed March 15. Drought was declared in Buller and Grey districts on March 22.
New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc. chairman Neil Trebilco says the rain provides a chance for fruit to size up better before being picked with the harvest season being halted for a few days due to the wet weather.
“Anytime you get a long dry spell during summer it does tend to slow down growth of the kiwifruit.
“Growers have been hanging on, trying to get the fruit size up a bit more – so it will help increase fruit size and growers will be happy to see that.”
Neil says every year growers have to wait for a day of dry weather to harvest and growers are prepared for this.
“There is enough supply in the supply chain for it not to affect the markets.”
But the downside is that growers will have to monitor for Psa-V infection.
“It’s been quite windy and wet for an extended period and this definitely lifts the risk of Psa-V disease spreading and becoming more prevalent so growers do need to be on the lookout,” says Neil.
“If there is Psa-V around it will show itself up in about one to two weeks after the wet weather – growers need to be monitoring vines and if they see any infection, they need to cut out the actual infection.”
But dry matter in the fruit gives an indication of taste, so while it is looking like a vintage season for wine “it is also looking like a vintage season for kiwifruit.”
Source: sunlive.co.nz