Canada-based Okanagan Specialty Fruits says it has launched an R&D partnership with New Zealand-based Prevar to advance the breeding of apples and pears.
The multiyear initiative is intended to leverage tools such as genome editing to enable a fast and more precise focus on specific traits to develop cultivars with improved pest and disease resistance, reduced food waste and enhanced nutritional benefits, according to a news release.
OSF says it uses biotechnology based on its Arctic apple platform and that Prevar offers a wealth of genetic material and a track record with commercial varieties such as Rockit, Smitten and Lemonade apples and Piqa pears.
“We’re excited to work alongside Prevar and Plant & Food Research in this groundbreaking initiative,” said OSF founder and CEO Neal Carter. “This collaboration represents a shared commitment to using science and technology to create the next generation of apples and pears that will transform our industry and create new opportunities for growers and consumers.”
The company says the partnership will combine technological innovation, scientific rigor and commercial expertise to drive meaningful advancement of the industry with the breeding program of Plant & Food Research.
“Our partnership with OSF and Plant & Food Research is a milestone in our mission to bring innovative and sustainable solutions to the apple and pear industries,” said Tony Martin, chief executive of Prevar. “Together, we’re combining decades of expertise and bold new technologies to develop cultivars that address key challenges while creating exciting opportunities for growers and consumers.”
The collaboration will begin in January 2025, with the first pre-commercial products expected to be available in 2029.
“OSF’s experience in commercializing apples developed using biotechnology will provide valuable insights should New Zealand regulations and sentiments towards these technologies change,” Richard Newcomb, chief scientist at Plant & Food Research. “We are looking forward to working alongside OSF and Prevar to better understand how we can apply our gene discovery research in this new and fast-changing commercial setting. This in turn, will help us support New Zealand’s horticulture sector in making decisions on how they could apply this to future-proof the sector.”
