Bluestim® prevents cracking in soft fruit

18 August 2019

Soft fruit growers who use Bluestim® end up with fewer micro-cracks in their strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. What's important is that they spray each fruit - from flowering to harvest - once every three weeks.

Bluestim® has been part of Biobest's product range for several years now. “This natural and powerful product reduces the effects of abiotic stress. It does this by improving the transport of nutrients, including calcium. More calcium in the cell walls makes the fruit stronger and prevents micro-cracks. After harvesting, post-harvest pathogens, such as Botrytis, Mucor and Rhizopus, have a more difficult time invading. This makes the soft fruit firmer, resulting in a longer shelf life,” says Sarah Van Beneden, Group Product Manager at Biobest.

Spray every three weeks
The product is easy to apply. “It is important that growers spray the crop every three weeks, from the time of the first flowering through the last harvesting moment. This is the best way to prevent micro- and macro-cracking. We advise a dosage of 1.8 lb/acre (2 kg/ha),” explains Sarah. She emphasises that spraying is essential. “If growers introduce Bluestim® by dripping, less Bluestim® is left over for the plant. In that case, the micro-organisms in the soil consume it.”

Made from sugar beets
Bluestim® contains a high concentration of glycine betaine (more than 96%), a natural extract of sugar beets. With this fertilizer developed by Lallemand Plant Care, Biobest has seen good results in the cultivation of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. Bluestim® is available in Belgium, the Netherlands, the United States, France, Germany and Poland.

Press releases: Biobest Group

Read more:

Fresh initiatives fuel global growth at ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA 2025

24 June 2025
ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA boosts global trade with new features and stronger international participation. ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA 2025 is gearing up for a dynamic edition at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong on 3–5 September, and the global fresh produce business is responding in force. With exhibitors from 41 countries and regions, 25 national pavilions. This year’s event introduces two brand-new forums: the Frozen Fruit and Vegetables Forum on Day 1 and the Nuts and Dried Fruit Forum on Day 2. »

F&B trade show SIGEP Asia returns with speciality segments

24 June 2025
Highly anticipated F&B trade show SIGEP Asia returns with speciality segments, immersive programming and Singapore National Coffee Championship. SIGEP Asia, Speciality Food & Drinks Asia and Speciality Coffee & Tea Asia 2025, co-located with the 6th edition of Restaurant Asia, will gather and inspire the best industry players and decision-makers across the entire F&B and foodservice supply chains. Prioritising high-impact programming, the event extends beyond traditional trade booths, »

Frozen. Ready. Global. Step into New Markets at WorldFood Istanbul 2025

22 June 2025
In 2024, the global frozen food market reached $310 billion, and it's projected to grow to $457 billion by 2032. In Türkiye, the frozen food sector continues to gain momentum, driven by increasing export volumes, enhanced cold chain infrastructure, and a more advanced retail landscape. WorldFood Istanbul 2025 provides the perfect platform to connect your brand with national and international buyers seeking new suppliers and innovative frozen food solutions. »
PARTNERS