VANCOUVER, BC — September 8, 2025 — Leads & Copy — A Genome BC funded research collaboration has uncovered why standard tests sometimes fail to detect viruses in visibly sick blueberry plants. The findings will lead to new diagnostic tools to help protect BC’s blueberry sector, worth $236 million in exports in 2020.
BC produces more than 90% of Canada’s highbush blueberries. Growers face two primary viral threats: the Blueberry Scorch Virus and the Blueberry Shock Virus. Blueberry plants do not recover from the Scorch virus and infected plants must be removed, but they can recover from the Shock virus over time. Both viruses cause similar symptoms, making them hard to tell apart, so farmers rely on a standard diagnostic test to help decide whether to rip out their plants.
Several years ago, sick plants began to test negative for both viruses. The research team, led by Dr. Jim Mattsson from SFU’s Department of Biological Sciences and Dr. Eric Gerbrandt, turned to genomic sequencing. The team discovered that both the Shock and Scorch viruses had evolved into new variants.
The sequencing also revealed four new viruses, previously undetected in BC fields. The researchers determined these viruses do not cause disease in blueberry plants and so are not a threat to BC growers. With the new information, the team is developing updated diagnostic tools that they expect to be available by the next growing season.
“These findings have a big economic impact on the sector,” said Dr. Gerbrandt.
“This project is a perfect example of how genomics can be a powerful tool for solving real-world challenges facing our industries,” said Suzanne Gill, President and CEO of Genome BC.
Contact:
Suzanne Gill
President and CEO, Genome BC
Source: Genome British Columbia
