Provided herein are methods for inducing and stabilizing an enzyme activity. Optionally, the enzyme is in a microorganism capable of producing the enzyme. In some embodiments, the enzyme can be nitrile hydratase, amidase, or asparaginase I. Provided are compositions comprising enzymes or microorganisms having induced and/or stabilized activity. Also provided are methods of delaying a plant development process by exposing a plant or plant part to the enzymes or microorganisms having induced and/or stabilized activity.
