Kiwi Pests and Diseases: [Detection, Causes and Solutions]

The kiwi is a climbing plant that produces one of the most exquisite fruits that are marketed worldwide.

With a soft and sweet flesh, this subtropical climate fruit is becoming increasingly popular.

Knowing all the epidemiological aspects that revolve around your environment will help you enjoy increasingly numerous and higher quality productions.

Hence, it is such a good plan that you enjoy first-hand information on this subject and it is just what we provide below.

gray mold

Gray mold, gray rot or botrytis is a very common disease in kiwi, whose origin is conferred to the presence of a fungus of the botrytis family.

Although its most common action occurs after they are harvested , if the environmental conditions are favorable, it can also attack the plant.

In some rare cases, the harmful action of the fungus can manifest itself in the flowers.Within the conditions that are favorable for it to reproduce, are the high temperatures and the constant humidity of the environment.

To detect if a crop has been affected, you have to look at the structure of the fruit, which usually shows spots and a very soft texture.In more advanced cases, the fungus is perfectly visible to the human eye, appearing as a kind of cotton on the outside of the fruit.

The prevention of this disease will happen by keeping the plant in a ventilated area, not fertilizing with decomposing matter and taking care of humidity.The use of botrycide-type chemicals is also highly recommended during the flowering and pre-harvest stages.

neck rot

Also known as root and crown rot, it is a disease caused by fungi that lodge in the lower part of plants.

Its ideal setting to live is loaded with humidity, which is why it usually manifests itself in areas with puddles and poor drainage.

The action of the fungus can remain dormant for years in certain types of terrain , manifesting itself when the conditions are appropriate.This is, above all, after a long period of rain that could trigger a complex outbreak capable of leading the plant to death in a short time.

In not so aggressive cases, what tends to happen is that the fruits are small and that they ripen much earlier than they should.To detect if the plant is being affected, it is best to scrape part of the bark from the trunk and assess the internal state.

In case this is the disease, what will be observed is a reddish brown color, instead of the typical white of healthy plants.Damage will be avoided by applying preventive fungicides at the beginning of spring, because after the disease makes its presence known it is very difficult to eradicate.

bacterial cancer

Although bacterial cancer is not so common in kiwi plantations, it does have a very aggressive work system.

The disease is caused by different types of bacteria, being able to attack both yellow and typical green kiwis.

Another important detail is that it usually manifests in young plants more frequently, in those under 6 years of age.

Among the frequent causes that accompany the attack of this disease are:

1. Plants that are subjected to fertilization with high levels of nitrogen and calcium. As well as organic fertilizers such as guano.
2. Plantations that are made on soils that are not very profitable for the characteristics required by the kiwi, such as good drainage or poor in nutrients.

When detecting if a culture is being attacked by bacterial cancer, it will be possible to notice symptoms such as orange exudations.Damage to the bark of the trunk and branches also usually appears, manifesting itself in brown or black colors that are easily detectable.

The necrotic spots on the leaves will not take long to appear and this will bring about a drop in the shoots that will later affect the rest of the plant.The treatments will include the pruning of the affected parts, the isolation of the diseased plants and the burning of the infected tissues as a last action.

Red spider

The red spider is a plague that consumes the sap of the plants , depriving it of vitality and it is possible that it will find a good home in the kiwi.

Its action occurs on the back of the leaves and after making the suction, the points where they make the incision turn yellowish.

This becomes an ideal setting for the disease known as necrosis to attack.If detected early, spider mites will not lead to crop failure. However, when its attack spreads, the plant may die.

The good news is that certain natural products, such as nettle slurry, can help eliminate the pest without causing damage to the crop.

fruit moths

There are many types of moths in the world and those of the fruit are considered a pest when they become capable of abundantly attacking crops.

There are several types, which makes it easy to recognize what type of fruit you have a predilection for. Its shape is like a small butterfly .

Some fruit moths feed on the holes they make on the fruit itself, for example in the case of apples.

In other cases, their diet is based on buttons and flowers, causing the fruiting process to be affected.The biggest problem with the adult moth is that they have the ability to fly from one place to another, which could affect an entire plantation .

To avoid its appearance, it is very important that the plants are well nourished, applying the fertilizations that correspond to each case.In addition to that, well-planned and executed pruning is ideal for maintaining the good health of fruit trees of all kinds.

If corrective treatment is needed, there are specialized products that affect moths in different areas of their body.Its correct application will help eliminate all traces and continue with a quality and abundant harvest.