Professor Zora Singh presenting his research.
Speaking at the XV International Symposium on Plant Bioregulators in Fruit Production in June, Professor Singh presented two decades of research into a natural compound called methyl jasmonate (MeJA). His work highlights the compound's potential to reduce chilling injuries in fruit, while also improving colour, quality, and shelf life.
"The symposium provided a wonderful opportunity to engage with horticultural scientists from the United States, Spain, Slovenia, Chile, Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, South Africa, and Uruguay," Professor Singh said.
"I was also pleased to connect with world-leading experts from Valent BioSciences."
Held every four years by the International Society of Horticultural Science (ISHS), through its Division of Physiology and Plant-Environment Interactions of Horticultural Crops in Field Systems and the ISHS Working Group on Bioregulators in Fruit Production, the symposium provides a platform for valuable discussions and collaborations.
ECU research tackles a global issue: Fruit loss due to poor storage conditions
Professor Singh and his team have found that methyl jasmonate, a naturally occurring compound derived from jasmonates, significantly enhances the storage capacity and longevity of several fruit varieties, including improving red colouring on the skin of the renowned Cripps Pink apple.
Their findings show that MeJA not only reduces the risk of chilling injuries during cold storage but also boosts fruit colour and overall quality. Depending on the fruit, shelf life and storage duration can be extended by several weeks.
This research presents a food-safe, commercially viable solution that offers economic benefits to the global fruit production industry at both pre-harvest and post-harvest stages.
Professor Zora Singh is a Foundation Professor of Horticultural Science in ECU's School of Science and a global expert in fruit production technology and postharvest physiology.
