Kiwifruit

Four ACTIGARD applications recommended for Psa protection
ACTIGARD PostHarvest Canopy 750 x 422

The very tight Psa control programme implemented at Sanger Orchards, in Waiau Pa, south of Auckland, always includes the protectant applications of ACTIGARD® plant activator as one of the key products used to protect vines.

“I strongly recommend four applications of ACTIGARD® if possible,” says Amol Sidhu, Spray Manager with Sanger Orchards. 

“The post-harvest applications are especially important when vines have fresh picking scars and leaf-fall gets underway, because both provide potential entry points for Psa. In addition, the weather post-harvest can be wet and windy which also increases the chances of Psa infection.”

Amol and owner Gary Sanger learned the value of four ACTIGARD® applications in their kiwifruit blocks through personal experience.

“Unintentionally, in the 2023-24 season, the fourth ACTIGARD® application was missed on a couple of blocks post-harvest and subsequently Psa and bacterial bud rot was noticeably higher in these blocks compared to those that had the planned four applications, so we could clearly see the difference of not making this post-harvest application.”

Sanger Orchards comprises three orchard sites, with 105 ha in production (45 ha Gold3, 40 ha Red and 20 ha of Hayward) and 8 ha of non-producing kiwifruit vines. The first vines were planted in 2016 and the operation now employs more than 80 fulltime staff and five field managers.

Amol adds that he finds ACTIGARD® easy to use. “It is no problem to mix it in the spray tank with other well-known Psa protection and commonly used insecticide products.”

Best use guidelines for ACTIGARD® post-harvest use are:

  • Apply at 200 g/ha with copper immediately post-harvest as a foliar spray.
  • Allow 21 days between applications.
  • Take care to avoid spray drift onto unharvested fruit in adjacent blocks to avoid the risk of residues on fruit.

To discuss Psa control options for your kiwifruit vines contact your Syngenta Territory Manager. For more information on ACTIGARD® post-harvest, click here.