Botrytis JV for Genesis

By Phil Boeyen, ShareChat Business News Editor

Thursday 17th January 2002

Genesis (NZSE: GEN) and Landcare are joining forces to figure out ways to control botrytis, the parasitic 'grey mould' fungus that attacks grapes and other fruit and flower crops.

The partners plan to focus on the genetics of Botrytis cineream, making use of Genesis' genomic capabilities and Landcare Research's expertise in fungal biology to discover a range of controls for botrytis and, potentially, other fungi.

"While botrytis produces the famous noble rot, prized by winemakers for the characteristic flavour it imparts to dessert wines, it is also a major pathogen attacking most dicotyledonous plants - including kiwifruit, berryfruit, and glass house crops - especially in temperate regions throughout the world," the partners say.

While the initial aim of the JV is to develop a non-GMO control suitable for application to crops close to harvest, the ultimate target is broader.

"The partners anticipate that the pathway being targeted to develop a fungicide active against botrytis may also be common to other fungal species, leading to further potential uses in controlling different fungi in plants, animal and human health."

Botrytis affects a wide variety of fruit and floral crops but the initial target will be the international wine industry, where in France alone, hundreds of millions of dollars are spent each year to combat the problem.

"Currently synthetic fungicides are most commonly used to combat botrytis, however fungicide resistance is now widespread. "

Landcare Research chief executive, Dr Andy Pearce, says the JV is a great example of partnership between a Crown Research Institute and a private sector R&D company.

"We are focussed on a particular target and using the strengths and skills of our two organisations to do things that neither of us could do as well on our own."

Genesis and Landcare Research will jointly own the intellectual property developed through the 50:50 partnership.

Another New Zealand company already established to tackle Botrytis ceneria is Dunedin-based secondary listing Botry-zen, which has developed an organic pesticide against the pathogen.

Botry-zen was established after several years of development between Zenith Technology and HortResearch.

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