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China the likely source of the disease
New Zealand
Friday 06 April 2012
MD
Scientists have shown that the disease originates in China, thus ruling out suspicions about Chile and Italy.
The disease that is ravaging the orchards of New Zealand has its source in China according to biochemists.
Scientists at the University of Otago, Department of Biochemistry, are working on the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv Actinidiae (PSA). Found 16 months ago in an orchard in Te Puke, the bacteria is affecting 1,51 or 35% of orchards in the country.
The results of analysis and sequencing reveal that China is the origin of the disease. The genomes of New Zealand and China are the same. It remains to determine the transmission path. Scientists rule out the possibility of transmission by clothing or footwear.
The team of biochemists will focus on finding an effective treatment.
source : scoop co nz
