Wedoany.com Report-Aug. 7, MGI Tech Co., Ltd., a life sciences technology company, has partnered with Lincoln University in Canterbury, New Zealand, to advance sustainable viticulture through genomic research. The collaboration focuses on developing grapevine and hop varieties resistant to pests and diseases, aiming to reduce fungicide use in New Zealand’s $2.1 billion wine export industry, the country’s sixth-largest export sector.

New Zealand’s vineyards face significant challenges from fungal diseases, requiring approximately 3,400 tonnes of pesticides annually, with 60% of fungicides classified as potential carcinogens by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Climate change exacerbates these issues, increasing disease risks and environmental scrutiny. The initiative seeks to address these pressures by leveraging genomics to enhance sustainability and reduce chemical reliance.

Lincoln University’s research team, led by Associate Professor Christopher Winefield from the Department of Wine, Food & Molecular Biosciences, employs MGI’s DNBSEQ-G400 sequencer to analyze thousands of grapevine samples. This technology enables rapid identification of plants with natural resistance to diseases and environmental stress. Early results suggest chemical spray use could decrease by up to 80% in some vineyards. Winefield noted: “You’re never going to get to zero, but even removing a single late-season spray has multiple benefits – lower costs, less residue in the wine and reduced pressure on soil health and the environment.”

The MGI sequencer allows processing of over 50,000 samples annually, a significant increase from the previous capacity of a few hundred. Winefield stated: “The introduction of MGI sequencing tools has really helped democratise sequencing for small teams like myself. The cost of that sequencing is highly competitive.” The platform also supports real-time pathogen detection, enabling precise interventions. Winefield added: “Instead of scheduled spraying, farmers can move to evidence-based treatment. It’s a shift from blanket coverage to pinpoint accuracy.”

Dr. Bicheng Yang, Director of MGI Australia, highlighted the project’s impact: “This is a powerful example of how cutting-edge technology supports the future of agriculture.” The initiative also plans to establish a commercial venture to provide affordable genomic testing to New Zealand’s viticulture, horticulture, and dairy sectors, targeting one million samples annually at launch.

The project’s findings could influence global viticulture, with New Zealand’s research serving as a model for sustainable practices. Winefield emphasized: “New Zealand may never feed the world by volume, but we can lead through better science.” The approach also supports resilience against climate-driven challenges, offering farmers data-driven tools to manage crops efficiently and sustainably.