News | Genomics Lab | Washington State University

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Sliced pears show potential

September 25, 2015 Karen Adams

Sliced apples account for ten percent of the U.S. apple market. A Washington State University scientist believes sliced pears could give the pear industry a similar boost if technical challenges can be resolved.

If the pear market could be expanded by 10 percent, by delivering high-quality sliced pears, that would translate to a $40 million positive impact on the pear industry, says Dr. Amit Dhingra, WSU geneticist. Importantly, it would increase the demand for small fruit, in the less-preferred 120 to 135 size range.

Read the full article by Geraldine Warner here

Better Plantlets for Better Plants

September 2, 2015 Karen Adams

Using a proprietary growing method developed at Washington State University (WSU), startup company Phytelligenceis producing plants and trees faster than ever, offering a fresh alternative to tree farmers in an industry overripe for innovation.

“We can produce in one year what is typically produced in three years: a 10-foot tall tree,” says Amit Dhingra, Ph.D., associate professor of horticultural genomics and biotechnology in the molecular plant sciences graduate program at WSU.

Read the full article here

June 9-12: Breath test, cancer on medicinal plants agenda

June 2, 2015 Karen Adams

Medicinal plants are the focus of a research conference hosted by Washington State University in Spokane June 9-12, 2015.

WSU researchers, sleuth resurrect ‘lost’ apples of the Palouse

April 13, 2015 adhingra

By Seth Truscott, College of Agricultural, Human & Natural Resource Sciences

PULLMAN, Wash. – Researchers at Washington State University have teamed with an amateur apple detective to bring fruit varieties thought extinct back to life. Read the full news article by Seth Truscott in WSU News.

Plant biotech startup speeds propagation

July 9, 2014 Karen Adams

Washington State University researchers-turned-entrepreneurs have developed a method for growing trees three times faster while conserving water and reducing the need for pesticides – and they just made their first sale. Read the full article by Kate Wilhite at WSU News.

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Phytelligence founders Amit Dhingra, left, Kathie Nicholson, Tyson Koepke and Scott Schaeffer.

Not pictured are Nathan Tarlyn and Derick Jiwan.

WSU Horticulturist Dhingra Planting the Seeds for Undergraduate Research

July 7, 2014 Karen Adams

From savoring the distinctive, flavorful crunch of an apple to eyeing the plump, crimson cherries adorning mouth-watering summer produce displays, people love fruit. But few perhaps know fruit like Washington State University horticulturist Amit Dhingra, who looks beyond the pits and leaves into the genome of these sweet treats. Read More.

Intelli-GEN-Design: Fruit of the Future

June 12, 2014 Karen Adams

Amit Dhingra was one of the 15 featured speakers at the inaugural TEDxWSU event. He talked about engaging graduate students in working directly with farmers and solving their problems.

Wine science, ag students complete studies at WSU

May 27, 2014 Karen Adams

There’s a growing demand for graduates in agriculture, and students who invest two years at Walla Walla Community College or Yakima Valley Community College can transfer to several ag degree programs at Washington State University. Read the rest of the story by Rachel Webber at WSU news.

The Root of the Problem

February 5, 2014 Karen Adams

A professor, a graduate student and a team of farmers and researchers are doing some digging to learn about root rot.“It’s all about survival,” said Amit Dhingra, an associate professor in the Department of Horticulture. Read more at the Daily Evergreen.

Fruit Ripening Compounds Discovered

January 13, 2014 Karen Adams

Scientists at Washington State University have discovered ripening compounds that show promise for making pears ripen more predictably.

Pears are mature, but unripe and hard when they are harvested, and some varieties, such as d’Anjou, require a period of chilling in storage before they will ripen.Read more of the article by Geraldine Warner at Good Fruit Grower.