Researchers are undertaking a major genome study intended to help the wine industry reduce reliance on chemical sprays by developing more disease-resistant grapevines.

Preliminary results from the grapevine research indicate that chemical spray use in vineyards could be cut by as much as 80% in some situations, potentially saving millions for the wine sector, which is facing increased threats from climate change and rising disease pressures.

Genomic insights

The research utilises genomic technology from an Australian company and is focused on identifying natural genetic traits in grapevines that foster disease resistance. This, researchers say, may allow wine growers to minimise their fungicide use while also enhancing productivity.

At Lincoln University, scientists have implemented the MGI DNBSEQ-G400 genome sequencer, a new technology that allows high-throughput DNA sequencing at a substantially lower cost compared to traditional approaches. The installation of this machine enables the analysis of tens of thousands of grapevine samples annually, accelerating the pace of research.

The cost of genomic sequencing has dropped considerably since the late 1990s, making it feasible for large-scale studies such as this one, which aims to address some of the most pressing challenges in viticulture today.

Expanding research capacity

“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, we have been limited to being able to sample a few hundred vines a year, but with the new system installed, the lab can now process more than 50,000 a year, which is a 100-fold increase in volume.” “Having this technology on site means we no longer have to send samples offshore for analysis. That’s saving time and money and allowing us to move at a completely different scale.”

These comments from Associate Professor Christopher Winefield of the Department of Wine, Food & Molecular Biosciences at Lincoln University outline a significant increase in research throughput, as well as the environmental and economic benefits of targeted chemical use.

The platform utilised at Lincoln University allows researchers to detect diseases such as powdery mildew or mealy bug in real time. This enables a shift from widespread, preventative spraying to more localised and data-driven interventions in vineyards.

“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.”

Broader applications

According to Professor Winefield, the lab is collecting genetic data from grape and hop varieties to improve understanding of their responses to stress and disease pressure. He stated, “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.”

Dr Bicheng Yang, Director of MGI Australia, says, “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.”

Commercialisation plans

Researchers are now forming a commercial venture designed to make genomic testing more accessible to farmers. The goal is to target industries such as viticulture, horticulture and dairy, where blanket chemical treatments are still common due to a lack of precise data.

Professor Winefield noted, “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.”

Looking to the future, the new venture plans to process over one million samples per year initially, with potential scaling to 10 million tests annually within five years. Professor Winefield is currently seeking investors to expand the company’s capacity.

Climate change and future outlook

Professor Winefield said that changing climate conditions are intensifying pest and disease challenges across agriculture, with shifting weather patterns causing earlier and geographically broader outbreaks.

“We’re seeing diseases appear earlier in the season, or in regions where they weren’t previously a problem. That unpredictability makes scheduled spraying less effective and raises the risk of over- or under-treating crops. Genomic monitoring gives us the tools to respond to these changes with precision, spotting threats earlier and adapting management strategies to shifting environmental conditions. “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,” he says.