EN 
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FR The symptomatology of the disease
The great expansion of kiwi fruit dieback in our country is the result of climate change, in particular the sudden and excessive rainfall that often falls on our land.
Affected plants show reduced vegetative activity, stunted growth and wilting of shoots with subsequent desiccation of plant parts. Sometimes the plants survive stunted and regrow in the autumn, but often it is the entire plant that collapses. The most obvious symptoms can be seen, however, in the root system, which shows limited and superficial development, often confined to the vicinity of the trunk. The disease initially appears in limited areas of the actinidia, often in areas characterised by waterlogging.
Fig. 1. Plot affected by kiwi fruit dieback
Prevention as a weapon
As of today, considering the various studies and experiments carried out in Italy, Japan and Turkey, it is convinced that, in addition to the environmental factor, fungi, bacteria and nematodes also play a role in determining kiwi fruit mortality; in particular, the latter, by entering the roots, diminish the plants' ability to react.
Fig. 2 Visibly compromised kiwi roots
The strategies to be implemented are undoubtedly of an agronomic nature, limiting water stagnation by means of baulking and drip irrigation systems; but, in addition to these techniques, the use of useful microorganisms to counteract the action of fungi, bacteria and nematodes is very interesting.
The product Nematech, based on Pochonia spp.Pochonia spp., is an excellent ally for combating kiwi fruit dieback, as it is already giving excellent results in many Italian actinidia, acting preventively against possible damage caused by nematodes.
NEMATECH is an innovative liquid formulation based on viable spores of the fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia that effectively contributes to overcoming stress caused by attacks of root system pathogens even in the presence of gall-forming nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne spp., Heterodera spp., Tylenchulus semipenetrans, etc..
Photo 3. Row of kiwifruit treated with Nematech and in which there was regression of the disease
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