Horticultural Kiwifruit

Horticultural Kiwifruit Testing

Hill Labs is New Zealand's leading provider of testing services to the Kiwifruit industry. We work closely with industry bodies such as Zespri and KVH, as well as rural supply merchants and consultants. Agricultural and horticultural professionals can take advantage of a complete suite of tests designed to meet the specific requirements of New Zealand based growers. Hill Labs has spent the last 30+ years developing analysis that is specific to the New Zealand situation. Our accredited testing means that you can have confidence in the accuracy of your data and make better land management decisions as a result.

PSA V Testing

Hill Labs is New Zealand's only provider of routine Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa V) testing. Having worked closely with industry bodies, such as Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH), Zespri and Plant and Food since the initial PSA V outbreak in 2011, you can be confident that our testing will meet your on orchard needs.

What should you do if you think your orchard is infected by Psa?

If you find symptoms on your orchard, tag the vine and contact your packhouse Psa Manager for confirmation that the symptoms are Psa-like. The packhouse either takes the sample or organises for a sample to be taken. The packhouse can also organise for the sample to be sent to Hill Labs. Alternatively you can take the sample yourself and send it directly to the laboratory. Sampling details are available from KVH at the following link

Soil Testing

Soil tests measure only a fraction of the total pool of nutrients available to plants (immediate and medium term) so it is important that standard New Zealand methods of sampling and soil analysis are used so the results are meaningful and can be related to plant growth under local conditions. Refer to our crop guides for more information on Green Kiwifruit and Gold Kiwifruit

Pesticide Residue Testing

Hill Labs has extensive experience in the analysis of pesticide residues. We have developed award winning purification systems that ensure the best possible extraction of contaminants across the most diverse array of sample types available in New Zealand. Our test offering is IANZ accredited and suitable for use in both domestic and export-based situations.

Plant Testing

Plant analysis is a valuable diagnostic and monitoring tool that should be used to complement soil analysis. A soil test shows what soil nutrients are available to the crop, while a plant test shows what nutrients the crop has actually taken up. In this way, plant tests provide a more reliable assessment of crop nutrient status. Hill Labs has collated interpretive ranges for the current kiwifruit varieties grown in New Zealand, and leaf test results are shown in a histogram report for the specified variety and growth stage. Refer to our crop guides for Kiwifruit Gold and Kiwifruit Green

NZGAP Water Testing

To assist growers in meeting NZGAP requirements, Hill Labs offers a convenient NZGAP Test Kit. The test kit includes analysis for the presence of E. coli and Faecal Coliforms in water and includes all of the necessary sample items, as well as a return courier ticket. The NZGAP Test is IANZ Accredited and results are provided on a 3 day turnaround time.

Helpful links

Our team of testing experts has meticulously crafted these documents to offer recommendations tailored to your testing requirements.

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What our customers have to say

"We've always found them to be responsive in getting results back and giving advice on problems we might be facing."

Andrew Hutchinson, Technical Manager, Turners & Growers

"We strongly recommend Hill Labs as a sound testing service provider to the honey industry."

Nick Walker, Technical Manager, Egmont Honey

"Their sample registration system has made things simple and seamless - collect, scan and send!"

Mathew Bannister, Compliance Manager, First Fresh New Zealand

Horticultural Kiwifruit