Kiwifruit company, Zespri has announced a research partnership with the US-based bacteriophage producer, OmniLytics as it strives to find better control mechanisms for the Psa outbreak in New Zealand. OmniLytics is acknowledged as a leading developer of viruses (phages) that kill bacteria.
Phages are common throughout the environment as natural bacteria predators, and as such offer opportunities for Psa control in kiwifruit orchards. The Psa bacteria, and its variants, pose a serious threat to New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry since it was identified in the Bay of Plenty late last year.
OmniLytics has already been successful in developing phage-based solutions for bacterial disease in tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, cabbage, melons, strawberry, apples, pears, citrus and ornamentals.
OmniLytics CEO, Justin Reber said his company feels the sense of urgency from the kiwifruit industry to develop a solution to Psa. “We are moving forward with urgency on this project to help provide the kiwifruit industry with a viable, long-term bacterial control solution.
“Our relationship with ZESPRI is a perfect illustration of OmniLytics’ partnering strategy to team with ‘world leaders’ in their respective markets with a goal to jointly develop and commercialise innovative bacteriophage solutions.”
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