Tests by DPI Victoria have shown all Neerim Hi-Plains Growers’ mother blocks for propagating cherry trees, to be free of Little Cherry Virus.
“We have been funding annual virus testing of our Mother Blocks for budwood production since testing was introduced by the Dept of Agriculture about 30 years ago,” said David Pike from Neerim Hi-Plains Growers.
“We can follow the known virus status of our budwood blocks and every 6 to 8 years we re-establish Mother Budwood Blocks through the propagation of budwood blocks propagated from the original Mother Blocks.
“Daughter budwood blocks are planted for budwood multiplication and budwood from these blocks produce second generation trees which are sold to orchardists.”
David said daughter blocks are kept for a maximum of six years before replanting using budwood from Mother Block trees.
“This Private Budwood Scheme would be equivalent to many national and international budwood schemes from other industries.”
“Buyers can be confident that Neerim will continue testing to eliminate any reasonable risk to growers.
“We know the virus status of all budwood blocks we use for propagation of cherry trees for orchardists. Any past tests for Prune Dwarf and Prunus Necrotic Ringspot virus that may prove positive, results in the removal of the infected daughter budwood trees. We then go back to the virus-free Mother Block to propagate budwood blocks again.”
To contact Neerim Hi-Plains Growers or ANFIC, see Tree Fruit May 2014
