Chile's protocol for blueberry exports to China has been adjusted to include quarantine procedures for stem canker (Diaporthe australafricana), after the fungus was found in a shipment from the South American country.

Chile's Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) said this meant that if phytosanitary inspections detected across symptoms that could relate to stem canker, samples would need to be taken for lab analysis, leaving the lot in wait or rejected if the presence of the fungus is proven.

If inspections find Diaporthe australafricana twice, the property concerned will be banned from China-bound exports for the remainder of the season.

Chilean Agricultural Research Institute (INIA) Quilamapu scientist Andrés France gave the Chilean Blueberry Committee a list of recommendations to help identify and control the disease.

He said the disease could be easily confused with Phomopsis vaccinii, which shares the same cycle and can be managed in the same way; the disease leads to fruit drying but as mycelium is not preent and there is no rotting it is more difficult to detect.

Due to this challenge, which implies the fungus is classified as "mold" at destination, the circular sent to the committee encouraged dehydration parameters be verified and controlled in packhouse selection lines.

France said the disease was associated with rain and a lack of sanitary pruning, especially in twigs that had already borne fruit in the previous season and weren't cut. While pruning was necessary for managing the disease it must be done prior to flowering to be effective.

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