Genome BC Backs Three Genomics Projects to Strengthen Crop Protection in British Columbia
21 July 2026, Canada: Genome British Columbia (Genome BC) has announced funding for three research projects aimed at strengthening crop protection through advanced genomics, helping farmers tackle rising pest and disease pressures linked to climate change. The initiatives focus on early detection of plant pathogens, improved identification of parasitic nematodes, and the development of an environmentally friendly biopesticide for wireworms.
British Columbia’s fruit and vegetable sector supplies domestic markets while exporting approximately US$1.2 billionworth of produce annually. However, climate-driven changes and the increasing spread of pests and pathogens are creating new challenges for growers, underscoring the need for faster diagnostics and sustainable crop protection technologies.
Genomic Tests for Parasitic Nematodes
One of the projects is developing advanced qPCR diagnostic tests to detect and quantify eight economically important species of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs), microscopic worms that damage plant roots and reduce crop productivity.
The project, led by researchers from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food (BC MAF) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), will collect and analyse soil samples across the province to validate the new tests. Once deployed, the diagnostic tools will enable BC’s Plant Health Laboratory to provide faster and more accurate nematode identification, supporting timely pest management decisions for vegetable, berry, vineyard and orchard producers.
Globally, plant-parasitic nematodes are estimated to cause more than US$173 billion in annual agricultural losses.
Sustainable RNAi-Based Biopesticide for Wireworms
Another project is targeting wireworms, major pests affecting potatoes, cereals and corn across Western Canada.
Researchers at Renaissance Bioscience are developing a biodegradable yeast-based biopesticide that delivers RNA interference (RNAi) technology to specifically target wireworm species while minimising impacts on beneficial organisms. The bait naturally degrades after application, providing a more environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional chemical insecticides.
The research team previously demonstrated the effectiveness of the platform against Colorado potato beetles and is now adapting the technology for wireworm control.
Faster Detection of Fruit Crop Diseases
The third project focuses on improving diagnostics for two economically significant pathogens affecting berry and tree fruit crops—Pseudomonas syringae complex and Phytophthora species.
Scientists from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food will generate whole-genome sequencing data and develop rapid PCR and qPCR diagnostic assays capable of identifying pathogens at the species level.
Improved diagnostics are expected to strengthen disease surveillance and enable more targeted management strategies. Phytophthora, for example, has contributed to an estimated 30% yield loss in British Columbia raspberries over the past three decades.
Also Read: Beyond Pesticides: Understanding the Real Causes of India’s Agricultural Export Rejections
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