Kiwifruit Psa Bacterial Infection

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Kiwifruit PSA Bacterial Infection. Questions What is the kiwifruit PSA bacterial infection? How does the kiwifruit PSA bacterial infection reproduce and spread? Can MAF save the industry by better managing the bacterial infection? What is the kiwifruit PSA bacterial infection? Pseudomonas syringae pv. antinidiae (PSA) was first identified in New Zealand on the 5th November 2010. Since then, it has found its way to around 57% of all kiwifruit orchards in New Zealand. It is not harmful to humans in any way and only effect kiwifruit and no other plants. The bacterium is a Bacillus; this means it is a rod shape. Its general structure consists of a cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm and a chromosome instead of a nucleus. The infection can exist in an orchard in two different ways. The first is as an epiphyte, living on the leaves or plant surfaces. The other is as an endophte, living inside the plants. It can do this by entering through natural micro-sized holes, or manmade wounds. If it enters through an unnatural wound, the infection can potentially be much more severe. Symptoms can vary in degree of severity. From the least serious; leaf spotting, flower wilting and cane dieback. To the industry destroying symptoms; Plant death or a red/white bacterial slime oozing from the vine stem and branches. How does the kiwifruit PSA bacterial infection reproduce and spread? With roughly 1184 New Zealand kiwifruit orchard affected, the infection has spread quickly and efficiently. Also, it has managed to find great conditions for reproducing fast. Binary Fission is the reproduction of bacteria. Bacteria reproduce asexually, and this means it can be a much quicker process. A single organism will start to grow a duplicate of its existing chromosome. As it does this, the cell wall and cell membrane will begin to force it to split into two. Gradually, the organism will

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