Bluestim® improves shelf life of soft fruit crops
16 June 2020
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 weeksThe 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 beetsBluestim® 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.
Read more:
Interpera2024: focus on the technical visits
22 May 2024
Interpera 2024 will gather the international pear sector from 26 to 27 June in Óbidos, Portugal. In addition to the main conference day, the organisers have prepared pear technical visits that just cannot be missed! The participants will learn about the Portuguese pear cultivation and conservation. The programmewill mix knowledge exchange and company visits. »
‘This is the place to be to find out where the sector is headed.’ - Renzo Piraccini, President of Macfrut.
20 May 2024
Macfrut, the international event for the fresh produce sector, has once again received an enthusiastic response from exhibitors. A total of 56,200 people attended the three-day trade fair at the Rimini Expo Centre, an increase of 13% on last year. This was the most exciting edition yet, and it is clear that the sector is dynamic and confident about the future. »
Last spaces available to exhibit at Fruit Attraction
12 May 2024
Fruit Attraction, the key event for all professionals in the fruit and vegetable sector, will open its doors at IFEMA Madrid from 8 to 10 October. Don't miss the opportunity to take part as an exhibitor; join the leaders in the sector and boost your business. Who visits Fruit Attraction?
Producers and product processors
Importers and exporters
Wholesalers and traders
Retail and distribution channels
Transport and logistics
Horeca, services and others. »