The 6 contaminated seed lines are:
- Kyros DNK–16UB128
- Bangor DNK–15UB079
- Bangor DNK–16UB126
- Bangor DNK- 16UB114
- Feldherr DNK–16UB131
- Troya DNK–16UB112
MPI Velvetleaf Response Incident Controller David Yard says MPI has banned the importation of any of the affected lines, but it is very likely that some farmers who bought contaminated seed lines last year could have left-over seed in their sheds.
"Our advice is quite simply - don’t plant it this year," Mr Yard stresses. "While velvetleaf may not have seemed a significant problem last season, individual velvetleaf plants produce up to 17,000 seeds, so undetected plants that grew last season may result in a major infestation this season. If left unmanaged, those plants will be a significant farm and biosecurity issue."
Velvetleaf is an unwanted organism and under the Biosecurity Act 1993 it is an offence to knowingly plant and grow it. Farmers and contractors need to understand that it is illegal to plant these lines that are known to contain velvetleaf seed.
Anyone who grew one of these lines last year should also be checking the paddocks it was in to see if any plants are germinating. This is already happening in the warmer regions of the North Island, but wouldn't be expected in the South Island until after Christmas.
"If velvetleaf plants are found, MPI advises they should be removed and the location recorded for checking later in the season and in future years. If plants are flowering or seeding, mark the location and then tie a large bag over the flower head and bend the plant in half to catch any falling seeds, pull out the plant roots and dispose of it by deep burial – e.g. in the farm offal pit." Mr Yard says.
Any new detections of velvetleaf (that have not already been reported to MPI) should be phoned through to the MPI hotline 0800 80 99 66. A technical expert will be able to provide advice on future management.
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