World-First Genome Study Aims to Cut Vineyard Chemical Use

World-first genome study aims to cut vineyard chemical use

Reading Time: 2 minutes A world-first genome study underway in Canterbury is set to help New Zealand’s billion-dollar wine export industry grow more disease-resistant grapevines and reduce fungicide use in the sector. NZ farmers consume 3400 tonnes of pesticides annually. Under the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s classification, 5% of herbicides, 60% of fungicides, 8% of insecticides and 72% of plant growth regulators used in NZ …

Gene study could cut chemical use by 80% in NZ wine sector

Lincoln University’s genomic study aims to cut chemical use in New Zealand vineyards by up to 80%, boosting sustainable wine production and reducing costs.