Gene sequencing technology on track for routine agriculture use

Vineyards might be able to drastically cut their fungicide use. (Image: Hawkes Bay Today)

Tue, 15 Jul 2025

Lincoln University researchers say New Zealand’s $2.1 billion wine export industry could slash its fungicide use by up to 80% using cheaper gene sequencing technology.They are using a platform provided by MGI Tech, a Chinese-headquartered company, that can process up to 50,000 samples per year, opening a path to commercial services.Chris Winefield, an associate professor in plant genomics and molecular biology at Lincoln University, has spent much of his time understanding how plants respond to their environment. Until a few years ag...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk, Friday, Sept 26

Think you're clever enough?

The Quizmaster 9:15am

Technology

Govt agency defends support for vanishing venture capitalist

NZ Growth Capital Partners refuses to detail problems with Hillfarrance startup fund.

Maria Slade 5:00am

Economy

NZ dollar hits 3-year low against Aussie as rate gap widens

NZ-Australian 2-year swap differential at 12-year low.

Rebecca Howard 5:00am

NZ dollar hits 3-year low against Aussie as rate gap widens

Sponsored

AI agents: opportunity or graveyard? Spark’s five-point playbook for success

Artificial intelligence agents – autonomous digital entities that analyse data, automate decisions, and act independently – are set to drive a new wave of business transformation.

Spark Enterprise

Sponsored