From Italy to New Zealand to Chile, Psa has become a frightening reality for kiwifruit producing areas. In an effort to keep the industry afloat, these countries have also become testing grounds for new methods to fight this vine-killing disease.

On a visit to Chile, the owner of Italian company Summerfruit, Giampaolo Dal Pane, spoke with www.freshfruitportal.com about a new product in testing to protect gold and green kiwifruit.

Several years ago, Dal Pane and his team began testing on nurseries and small plantations. Today, studies continue in three Italian labs with analysis at the Università di Roma to publish results on the use of Bioyethi.

Dal Pane defined the product as a fertilizer that combines various antibacterial elements such as silver, enhancing the photosynthesis process. The effect can be seen in the leaves which produce an intense, bright green color, he said.

Currently, the treatment is being used across 250 hectares in Italy's Latina, Piemonte and Emilia-Romagna zones. Two months ago, New Zealand also began using Bioyethi in a 120-hectare area in Te Puke, the nation's hardest hit zone by Psa.

In Chile's case, more than 100 hectares are being treated with the product in plantations around Linares.

For small plants, the product is applied to leaves and roots. In the case of large plants, it is also injected directly into the plant.

According to the Italian executive, in New Zealand's situation, a plant was cut to save the rootstock and six buds sprouted in a three-centimeter area where the plant was still alive.

The Summerfruit owner emphasized, however, that the product is still in the first part of what will be a long process. Clearer results are expected next spring season.

In response to doubts regarding the new treatment, Dal Pane said, "I understand the skepticism in the industry. I understand and it's normal. The question is, do we lose time and see how plantations are lost?"

Opportunities in Chile

"In Chile, there is a big opportunity because in New Zealand the problem is very serious," he said.

He explained that the bacterial presence in the Latin American country is low for now and that producers are in optimal conditions to protect crops.

He said another advantage stems from the cases of Italy and New Zealand.

"In Chile, the story is beginning three or four years later. The important thing is to take timely action," he said.

To avoid spread, local authorities are already taking appropriate measures. One of the first steps was to declare a quarantine zone for affected orchards and disseminate information on preventive measures. The country is also working on a medium-term strategic plan.

www.freshfruitportal.com