VIRUSES OF ACTINIDIA: DO THEY POSE A THREAT TO KIWIFRUIT PRODUCTION?

Before 2003 there were reports of virus-like symptoms on Actinidia in China and a sap-transmissible disease of presumed viral origin in Japan. In 2003, Clover et al. (2003) published the first definitive identification of a virus infecting Actinidia following the detection of Apple Stem Grooving Virus (ASGV) in plant material from China held in quarantine in Auckland. Further examination of the material still in quarantine has confirmed the presence of ASGV, a Tobamovirus, a Carlavirus-like virus, and several other sap-transmissible virus-like agents. Virus-like agents have also been observed in some Actinidia accessions in cultivar collections in New Zealand. The current status of Actinidia viruses is reviewed and the measures that can be taken to avoid or minimize the effects of viruses on Actinidia in New Zealand discussed.