Kiwifruit

At Biostart, we support kiwifruit growers with biostimulants that activate soil and plant microbes that stimulate good root growth, nutrient uptake and resilience against disease – resulting in bigger and better yields. We also have solutions for Sooty Mould, Sclerotinia and Armillaria.

Mycorrcin

Improve soil health by activating beneficial soil microbes and mycorrhizal fungi. Certified organic version available.

Foliacin

Foliar spray for improved plant health and resilience. Certified organic version available.

Digester

Decomposition product for faster plant breakdown and nutrient recycling. Certified organic version available.

Biostart N

Certified organic biofertiliser utilising naturally occurring nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

TripleX

Certified organic biofungicide for preventing Sooty Mould and controlling Sclerotinia and Botrytis.

Terracin

For managing Armillaria in kiwifruit and improving soil health.

How we can help

You may already know about Triple X and how it can be used for preventing sooty mould, but did you know it is now on the Zespri Crop Protection Standard for the control of Sclerotinia, too?

There is also Terracin, which is on the Zespri Crop Protection Standard for the suppression of Armillaria in kiwifruit orchards.

Then beyond our disease management products, we have a range of biostimulants to help you get the most from your kiwifruit vines. Optimal soil and leaf biology created by the Biostart programme has been shown to lead to faster kiwifruit orchard establishment, higher graft take, increased cane growth and bud numbers, more resilient vines and higher and better-quality yields.

Our biostimulant products are compatible with nutritional and pest and disease control products so can be easily added into your current growing programme.

Video of soil improvements at Seeka’s kiwifruit orchard after trialling Mycorrcin
Tennyson Blake, our Australian Horticulture Manager, visited Seeka’s kiwifruit orchards in Victoria, Australia to see how their trial of Mycorrcin (our biological activator) was progressing. He was able to take these videos showing the improvement Mycorrcin has made on structure, aeration and organic matter content in the soil over the 100 weeks the trial has been running.

Sooty Mould Infected Fruit Study
Kiwifruit with clear symptoms of sooty mould infection were dipped in a diluted TripleX solution (1:200). After 2 minutes in the solution the fruit were gently rubbed and assessed for the remaining sooty mould infection. These trials showed that washing fruit in TripleX allowed the sooty mould to be easily removed from the fruit. The sooty mould could not be easily removed from the fruit dipped in water.

Evidence

Improve soil biology in your kiwifruit orchard
This flyer details the results of long-term trials conducted in Bay of Plenty kiwifruit orchards using Mycorrcin, Foliacin, and Digester, and concludes that the resulting improvements in soil biology led to higher vine yields and better-quality fruit.
Read more
Control Sclerotinia over flowering
Independent trials were conducted over three seasons (2018/19, 2019/20 and 2021/22) in six Bay of Plenty Hayward Orchards. TripleX reduced the incidence of Sclerotinia by 45%…
Read more
Use TripleX to prevent sooty mould
TripleX trial results from the Bay of Plenty in 2016. TripleX reduced the incidence of sooty mould in both Hayward and G3 crops in Te Puke and Opotiki.
Read more
Kiwifruit Trial Sheet
The Biostart Kiwifruit Programme was undertaken in two Bay of Plenty Hayward kiwifruit orchards by Seeka managers from 2020–2022, resulting increased yield and reduced rejects, while fruit size and quality is maintained.
Read more
Biostart Armillaria Programme Benefits Sheet
The benefits of the Biostart Armillaria programme include balancing soil biology, reducing Armillaria induced vine loss, higher yields, sturdier vines with bigger stronger root systems, better soil structure and aeration; and improved canopy health.
Read the article
AgriBusiness July/August Edition 2023
AgriBusiness have written an article reporting on Terracin being registered by ACVM for controlling Armillaria in Kiwifruit Orchards.
Read more
TripleX Sooty Mould Case Study
An overview of trial work by Dr Jerome Demmer, 5 March 2014.
Read more
The Alexander Family Farm – Testimonial
The Alexander Farm grows kiwifruit and uses Mycorrcin and Foliacin to create a more self-sustaining habitat, to be kinder to the environment and save money.
Read more

How to use our products

Yield and quality programme

Our standard kiwifruit programme is designed to increase yield and quality.

Product Timing Application
Mycorrcin Prior to planting Apply Mycorrcin 2 L/ha with weed spray to the planting area. Add 1 L of 1:100 Mycorrcin to the planting hole and plant the tree. Follow up with the standard Mycorrcin program.
Early Spring Apply 6 L/ha/month Mycorrcin sprayed on to the soil.
Growing Season Apply 2 L/ha/month Mycorrcin sprayed on to the soil.
Autumn Apply 4 L/ha/month Mycorrcin sprayed on to the soil.
Foliacin Early growth/first cover spray up to flowering Dilute 1 L/ha in a minimum of 1000 L of water. Then 1 L/ha every 14-21 days with crop protection sprays and/or nutritional sprays.
Fruit set to harvest Dilute 1 L/ha in a minimum of 1000 L of water. Then apply 1 L/ha every 14-21 days with crop protection sprays and/or nutritional sprays. Aim to make five applications across the season.
Digester Post-pruning or leaf fall; or at mulching 4 L/ha in a minimum of 200 L of water applied over leaf litter and prunings to the soil.
For heavy disease over-wintering, cut-out diseased orchards, compacted or water-logged soil: 6 L/ha in a minimum of 200 L of water.

Notes

For best results apply Mycorrcin to moist soil and/or water in.
Mycorrcin can be mixed and applied with most herbicides and liquid fertilisers.

Foliacin can be mixed and applied with commonly used fungicides and liquid fertilisers.
In times of high stress increase rate to 2 L/ha.

Organic Biofertiliser Programme

Product Timing Application
Biostart N Budbreak Apply 100 mL/ha.
Post-flowering Apply 200 mL/ha.
Post-harvest Apply 200 mL/ha.

Armillaria

Armillaria is a in kiwifruit vines is a slow progressing fungal disease that initially restricts production of the vine and eventually results in vine death. Use our biological programme to suppress Armillaria, reset your soil and rejuvenate your orchard. Read more about our armillaria programme and benefits here.

 

Product Timing Application
Terracin
Early August

Whole orchard floor: Apply 20 L/ha Terracin, water rate 2,000 L (1:100 dilution) to the orchard floor. Ensure the lower trunk gets covered with the spray. Repeat programme annually.

Early August Single infected plant programme: Apply to the root zone of the infected vine 20 L of a 1:100 diluted solution of Terracin (1 L Terracin/100 L water). Treat all adjacent vines at the same rate. Ensure the lower trunk gets covered with the spray. Repeat programme annually.
Mycorrcin Early September, 3–4 weeks after Terracin application Apply 10 L/ha Mycorrcin in 1,000 L water to the orchard floor.
In late November/early December apply 10 L/ha Mycorrcin in 1,000 L water to the orchard floor. Repeat programme annually.

Our Sooty Mould programme

Sooty mould is a fungus that causes discolouration of kiwifruit. Use TripleX, which contains the microbe Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Bs1b, to reduce sooty mould’s ability to establish and develop. Read more about TripleX and sooty mould here.

Product Timing Application
TripleX When passion vine hoppers and cicadas are active (early January to late March). Spray 2–3 weekly intervals on to fruit and foliage. Apply a minimum of 3 L/ha diluted in 1,000 L water. A good super wetter (such as DuWett) should be used to ensure thorough fruit and stem coverage as this is where most sooty mould infections are located.

Notes

TripleX is ACVM registered P8137 and certified organic.

For best results reduce cicada and PVH populations in the orchard and adjacent hedges, use
a clean spray tank, and mix with non-chlorinated water.

Our Sclerotinia programme

The active ingredient in TripleX, the microbe Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Bs1b, reduces Sclerotinia’s ability to establish and develop by colonising the flowers and outcompeting the fungus. Read more here.

Product Timing Application
TripleX When kiwifruit
(Hayward only) are at 80-90% flowering
Apply to the flowers and foliage at a dilution rate of 150 mL/100L water to the point of run off. To ensure good coverage, add an approved super wetter/spreader at the recommended label rate and adjust application rates accordingly (call 0800 116 229 if uncertain of compatibility).

Notes

TripleX is ACVM registered P8137 and certified organic.

For best results reduce cicada and PVH populations in the orchard and adjacent hedges, use
a clean spray tank, and mix with non-chlorinated water.

Ready to get started?

Contact us for personalised advice or find out where you can buy Biostart products: