Leading Italian and New Zealand scientists will speak at a symposium on the kiwifruit vine disease Psa-V at Mount Maunganui tomorrow.

Speakers at the New Zealand Plant Protection Society symposium include Giorgio Balestra and Angelo Mazzaglia from the Università degli Studi della Tuscia in Italy and scientists from Plant & Food Research and the University of Otago.

Titled 'A snapshot of Psa – a sequel”, this symposium follows on from the success of an earlier symposium held in August last year and builds on topics initially presented at the first symposium in greater detail.

'This symposium will bring together a number of the world's leading Psa researchers to present the latest in this fast-moving field and work out future directions for this work,” says Dr David Tanner, Zespri General Manager Science and Innovation.

This symposium aims to further explore ways to control this pathogen by providing updates on the latest research, covering advances in both molecular research – including genome sequencing, pathogencity of strains and host resistance – and epidemiology/biology, which includes Psa lifecycle, movement within the host and control options.

Online registration and programme details are available on the NZPPS website at www.nzpps.org Registration cost is $150, including all food and beverage for the day.

The symposium will be held at the Tect Arena in Bay Park from 8.30am–5pm, followed by wine and nibbles at a general discussion.

The NZ Plant Protection Society brings together scientists and other professionals working in the area of plant protection to pool and exchange information on the biology and management of weeds, pests and pathogens of plants and beneficial organisms. It holds an annual conference, publishes books and a scientific journal, as well as administering trust funds and awards to encourage scientists in this field to promote their work.

With sales revenues of $1.6 billion, Zespri is one of the world's most successful horticultural marketing companies and the Zespri Brand is recognised as the world leader in premium quality kiwifruit. Based in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, Zespri is 100 per cent owned by current or past kiwifruit growers, and employ approximately 270 people in New Zealand, Asia, Europe and North America.