The vine desaster: no clear case

摘要

Experts working with the Psa virus that has devastated orchards in one of New Zealand's prime kiwifruit growing areas say the disease continues to run its course. Zespri's Dr Dave Tanner, the head of the industry's joint Psa-v research and developmentprogramme, says it is likely to be two years before growers reach the bottom and start to recover. "It will get worse before it gets better, there are still growers every day finding out they have got Psa-v, it's still spreading." Psa-v was first detected in Hawkes Bay—one of the country's main growing areas- a year ago and the disease has spread; many orchar-dists in the area have seen their entire crop wither and die. For growers, it is disastrous: crops worth more than a $imillion die,andthey are left with bare land and large debts.