French wineries have to use a lot of pesticide to keep their grapes healthy, and that’s both expensive and costly …. The country might just have a solution, though. Researchers at France’s Institute of Agronomical Research (INRA) recently received permission to grow four grape varieties that are genetically resistant to mildew rot, eliminating much of the need for pesticides.
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The grapes weren’t genetically modified. Rather, the researchers identified rot-resistant genes in other grapes (including those from Asia and the US) and cross-bred them to promote the improved traits.
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Don’t be shocked if you see more of this going forward …. Reducing pesticide use could both lower the cost of producing wines and reduce the use of harmful chemicals.
Read full, original article: Mixed-gene French grapes may lead to cheaper, safer wine
