Global honours for horticultural pioneer: Prof Zora Singh receives 2026 ASHS award
The ASHS award is reserved for those with at least 10 years of exceptional contributions to horticultural research, education or outreach
In a major recognition of global excellence in agricultural science, Prof Zora Singh has been named the recipient of the 2026 ASHS Outstanding International Horticulturist Award. Bestowed by the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), this honour celebrates individuals who have demonstrated a distinguished international career with significant global impact and leadership in the field.
Prof Singh, an alumna of Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana, currently serves at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Western Australia.
The ASHS award is reserved for those with at least 10 years of exceptional contributions to horticultural research, education or outreach.
Prof Singh’s career spans over three decades, during which he has become a multi-award-winning scientist and an elected fellow of several prestigious academies, including the World Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
His work is characterised by a "lab-to-field" approach, translating complex research into commercially viable technologies.
He has attracted over $6 million in competitive research funding. He has supervised a total of 73 research students, including 36 PhD and 16 MSc candidates. He has partnered with global entities like Valent BioSciences (USA) to advance postharvest innovation.
Revolutionising the Supply Chain
Prof Singh’s research focuses on production systems, postharvest biology and supply chain management. His innovations have directly addressed the critical issue of postharvest losses, which currently range between 30–40 per cent.
His key technological breakthroughs include cost-efficient shipping by developing controlled-atmosphere technology for mangoes, enabling sea freight exports and slashing transport costs by 75 per cent compared to air freight.
To reduce waste, he co-developed two patented ethylene antagonists to preserve-produce and a non-chemical disinfestation method for bush tomatoes that reduces losses by up to 40 per cent.
In genetic advancement, he has pioneered gene transfer technology in mangoes, resulting in the first transgenic mango plants. To strengthen export, he enhanced pre-harvest color in Pink Lady™ apples and managed chilling injury in oranges and stone fruits to facilitate longer storage and better export potential.
This latest accolade adds to a long list of distinctions for Prof Singh, who was previously a nominee for the Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation (2018) and won the WA Innovator of the Year Award (2017) in Australia.
