Amit Dhingra’s research shows that the new product delays ripening differently than MCP. An organic compound that has the potential to enhance storability of pears and apples is being patented by the Washington State University Foundation. Glycinebetaine, a natural product derived from sugar beet molasses, is sold in Europe under the tradename Bluestim to help plants overcome the environmental stresses caused by heat, drought, or cold, and osmotic stress. It is also used to prevent cherry cracking. Dr. Amit Dhingra, molecular biologist at WSU, has discovered that when the product is applied to pears 30 days before harvest, it can […]