Ohalo Genetics says it has entered into a development and commercialization agreement with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Florida Foundation Seed Producers Inc., and the Florida Strawberry Growers Association to address the threat of the fungal disease neopestalotiopsis to the strawberry industry.
Neopestalotiopsis can wipe out entire strawberry fields and has become a key challenge faced by Florida strawberry growers, affecting crop yields, increasing production costs and threatening the livelihood of farmers.
Neopestalotiopsis was first detected in Florida in 2017, with notable outbreaks in subsequent years. By 2019 and 2020, the disease had become widespread and severely damaged the crop across the state, according to a news release. Growers relied on fungicides and rigorous field management practices to mitigate the disease’s effects.
Ohalo Genetics said it has leveraged its breeding technology platform with genetic resources from UF/IFAS to develop a novel trait that makes a strawberry plant resistant to neopestalotiopsis and integrated the trait into existing University of Florida strawberry cultivars. These new, resistant varieties will enter noncommercial experimental trials in 2025.
“This collaboration showcases the power of public-private partnerships in solving critical agricultural challenges,” said Jud Ward, chief technical officer for Ohalo Genetics. “The Florida strawberry industry approached us with the urgent need to tackle neopestalotiopsis, a disease that devastates crops. We were proud to step up to the challenge, and by working with the Florida partners, we’re leveraging our proprietary advanced breeding system alongside their deep agricultural expertise to create a sustainable, long-term solution.”
“This is a vital partnership to achieve a timely solution for the benefit of our industry that would not have otherwise been possible,” said Vance Whitaker, professor of horticultural sciences at UF/IFAS, who is working on the project in collaboration with Seonghee Lee, associate professor of horticultural sciences at UF/IFAS.
Kenneth Parker, executive director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, said the strawberry industry contributes about $1 billion to the state’s economy.
“This partnership is about more than just research; it’s about delivering real solutions to the fields in Florida through public-private partnership,” said John Beuttenmuller, executive director of Florida Foundation Seed Producers Inc., a nonprofit corporation responsible for the technology transfer of plant genetics developed at UF/IFAS. “Our collaboration with Ohalo means that growers will have access to resilient varieties, ensuring that Florida strawberries remain a staple for years to come.”
