Researchers at Lincoln University are conducting a genomic study aimed at reducing chemical use in New Zealand’s agriculture and viticulture industries by identifying naturally disease-resistant grapevines through genome sequencing.
The study, which utilises the MGI DNBSEQ-G400 genome sequencer, has made it possible for scientists to carry out large-scale testing of grapevines at a considerably lower cost and in significantly less time compared to conventional methods. This approach marks the first use of this sequencing platform for wine-related research in New Zealand.
New Zealand’s wine industry is valued at USD $2.1 billion in export revenue annually, making it the country’s sixth-largest export industry and a significant employer across main winegrowing regions. However, the sector faces increasing challenges related to sustainability and environmental impact, particularly concerning the extensive use of chemical sprays to combat disease.
According to statistics cited in the study, New Zealand farmers currently use about 3,400 tonnes of pesticides each year. Notably, under US Environmental Protection Agency classifications, a substantial proportion of these chemicals are suspected carcinogens – 5% of herbicides, 60% of fungicides, 8% of insecticides, and 72% of plant growth regulators.
Early results from the genome sequencing project suggest that chemical spray use could potentially be reduced by as much as 80%. For producers contending with the effects of climate change and mounting scrutiny over chemical inputs, this could represent significant cost savings and a move towards more sustainable practices.
The research is focused on detecting natural genetic traits that confer disease resistance in grapevines. With this technology, scientists are now able to test in excess of 50,000 grapevines annually, an increase from the hundreds typically screened using previous methods.
“The wine industry is a major contributor to the New Zealand economy, but it’s also facing huge challenges around sustainability. Vineyards are heavily reliant on chemicals to fight fungal disease and that can come at a cost to the soil microbiome, long-term crop health and the environment. With this technology, we’re now able to scale up our studies dramatically and look for grape varieties that are naturally resistant to disease. You’re never going to get to zero but by identifying and cultivating naturally disease-resistant vines, and by targeting interventions only where they’re truly needed, we can massively reduce chemical input. Even removing a single spray late in the season has multiple benefits; it lowers costs, reduces residue risks in wine and lessens the environmental burden.”
In the past, researchers were limited to sampling only a few hundred vines per year. The new sequencing system has increased lab capacity 100-fold, with processing times and costs both reduced due to the local availability of the advanced technology.
The genomic platform enables real-time detection and monitoring of diseases such as powdery mildew and mealy bug. Associate Professor Winefield explained the significance for growers:
“What this unlocks is a move from broad-spectrum, scheduled spraying to data-driven, localised treatment. That means fewer chemicals in the environment, lower resistance pressure on pests and pathogens and a better product at the end of the day, whether that’s milk, grapes or meat.”
Lincoln University’s lab is currently gathering genetic data from a range of grape and hop varieties to evaluate responses to various stresses and diseases. Winefield highlighted that the research does not constitute genetic modification:
“We’re looking for the vines that can handle more with less spray, less water and fewer inputs. Genomics allows us to do that with unprecedented precision. What we’re doing isn’t genetic modification it’s about identifying and working with natural variation to breed better and more resilient plants.”
The partnership includes MGI Australia, whose director Dr. Bicheng Yang commented on the broader implications:
“This is a powerful example of how cutting-edge genomics can support the long-term sustainability of key industries. By helping researchers understand the genetic factors that improve disease resistance and fruit quality, we’re enabling a future where viticulture relies less on chemicals and more on the natural resilience of the plant.”
The team at Lincoln University is now working to establish a commercial venture that would make genomic testing accessible to individual farmers and growers across viticulture, horticulture, and dairy sectors. The aim is to provide affordable real-time genomic insights to help detect disease early, lower input costs, and reduce environmental impacts.
Winefield believes the project will contribute not just to viticulture but to a wider range of crop industries, serving as a model that could be replicated internationally. He outlined the future vision:
“Our goal is to bring the cost of genomic tests down to a level where individual growers and farmers can routinely use them to make better, more targeted decisions. This is about taking world-class science out of the lab and into the field – and transforming how primary industries manage disease and productivity at the grassroots level.” “Ultimately, this kind of science supports the future of New Zealand’s primary industries, higher-value, lower-impact and globally competitive.”
The planned venture intends to process over one million samples per year initially, potentially expanding to 10 million samples annually within five years. The variability and unpredictability of climate conditions in New Zealand are providing a unique testing environment for these new techniques.
Winefield summarised the national potential for this infrastructure:
“We’re not just building a lab, we’re creating a national infrastructure for precision agriculture, one that allows growers and vets to test for multiple pathogens or productivity issues at once, at a cost that’s viable for everyday use.”