New resources on the way for BC farms under pressure from pests and disease

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Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by GlobeNewswire New resources on the way for BC farms under pressure from pests and diseaseAuthor of the article: You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — British Columbia is home to a prolific fruit and vegetable production sector, satisfying local consumers and exporting $1.2 billion in products to markets around the world. However, the last few years have seen climate-driven shifts in plant production, as well as the proliferation of pathogens and pest species.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountThree new Genome British Columbia (Genome BC) funded research projects are developing tools to help farmers protect British Columbia’s valuable crops. These projects share a common goal: to improve precise detection and early intervention, allowing the agricultural industry to better manage threats.Two projects counter pests: the first improves tests for identifying parasitic nematodes that attack plant root systems. The second is developing an environmentally safe biopesticide that uses yeast to reign in wireworms that affect many of BC’s major agricultural crops.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThe third project involves producing diagnostic tools to more quickly identify pathogens that cause substantial economic losses in multiple types of fruit crops.Keeping parasite detection services up to datePlant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are translucent, microscopic worms that feed on plant roots and tissues, causing stunted growth, decreases in yield and higher susceptibility to disease and other parasites. They can affect nearly every economically important crop and have resulted in over USD $173 billion in annual losses to the global agriculture sector.In British Columbia, a number of potentially damaging PPN species can be found in vegetable and berry fields, vineyards and orchards, posing risks to the agriculture and horticulture sectors. The province currently lacks diagnostic services for PPNs as current methods are costly, labour intensive and require deep expertise for species-specific identification.To overcome this challenge, Dr. Paul Adams (Kwantlen Polytechnic University), Dr. Paul de la Bastide (BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food (BC MAF)) and Dr. Thomas Forge (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)) are leading a project to create diagnostic qPCR tests to detect and quantify eight economically significant PPN species in BC. Soil samples are being collected from across the province, screened for PPN species and then used to validate the accuracy and sensitivity of the different qPCR tests.These novel tests will ultimately allow the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Plant Health Laboratory to provide a nematode diagnostic service that is crucial to crop producers, supporting early detection and informed pest management decisions.Novel, environmentally friendly pest managementWireworms are a known pest to potato, corn and cereal growers in British Columbia. These insects are click beetle larvae that cause extensive crop damage — an annual average of over $11 million in Western Canada — by feeding on roots, seeds, stems and tubers.Dr. John Husnik and his team at Renaissance Bioscience are developing a targeted, natural solution to protect crops from these pests using yeast and RNA interference (RNAi). This is a biopesticide contained in a biodegradable yeast cell used as bait. The treatment method degrades naturally, making it an environmentally safer option than chemical pesticides.This advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.“RNAi is very, very target specific,” Dr. Husnik explains. This detail allows the team to select regions of gene sequences that match specific species in British Columbia, then validate their data against live wireworms to be trialed with the bait.Having validated trials on Colorado potato beetles, the team is confident that a solution is within reach for BC growers. “A field-ready, omics-based biopesticide will empower farmers with a sustainable solution, while also positioning BC as a global leader in agricultural innovation,” Dr. Husnik says.Stronger pathogen detection tools for fruit cropsA project led by Dr. Shauna-Lee Chai (AAFC) and Dr. Pragyan Burlakoti (BC MAF) aims to strengthen disease control for fruit crops by developing tests that can more effectively identify a pair of major pathogens.The BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Plant Health Lab has identified Pseudomonas syringae complex and Phytophthora spp. as two pathogens that are particularly challenging to the management of the province’s berry and tree fruit plants. Phytophthora spp. (the name literally means ‘plant destroyer’) has accounted for approximately 30% yield loss in BC raspberries alone over the past 35 years. Currently, not enough is known about the various strains of these pathogens and how they affect different types of fruit.Principal Investigator Dr. Rishi Burlakoti (AAFC) will generate whole genome sequencing data for both pathogens and develop rapid, sensitive PCR and qPCR diagnostic tools. These tools will allow the pathogens on infected plant tissues to be identified at the species level. More accurate tests will improve the diagnostic services provided by the Plant Health Lab and inform targeted, effective disease management plans for the agricultural sector.“We’ve been using tests that are 20 years old to detect these diseases. We’ve seen the struggle of farmers,” says Dr. Chai, who welcomes the technological progress. “This is a great application of genomics-based tools to update our processes for the future.”“As the demand for domestic food production increases, genomic tools can provide efficient, sustainable ways to manage and protect valuable output from growers in the province,” says Sally Greenwood, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President, Public Affairs at Genome BC. “Biotechnology and agrifoods are two important sectors in British Columbia. Linking them boosts the potential for both sectors to thrive and provide benefits for the people and province of BC.”About Genome British Columbia Genome BC is a not-for-profit organization that has advanced genomics research and innovation for 25 years, growing a world-class life sciences sector in BC and delivering sustainable benefits for British Columbia, Canada and beyond. Genome BC has attracted over $1.1 billion in direct co-investment to the province, which has contributed to funding more than 600 genomics research and innovation projects. These initiatives enhance healthcare and address environmental and natural resource challenges, improving the lives of British Columbians. Genome BC also integrates genomics into society by supporting responsible research and innovation and fostering an understanding and appreciation of the life sciences among educators, students and the public.Contact: Genie Tay, Communications Manager, Genome BC gtay@genomebc.ca 604.895.0663 Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.