Abstract
Rapid technology development in controlled environment (CE) plant production has been applied to a large variety of plants. In recent years, strawberries have become a popular fruit for CE production because of their high economic and nutritional values. With the widespread use of light-emitting diode (LED) technology in the produce industry, growers can manipulate strawberry growth and development by providing specific light spectra. Manipulating light intensity and spectral composition can modify strawberry secondary metabolism and highly impact fruit quality and antioxidant properties. While the impact of visible light on secondary metabolite profiles for other greenhouse crops is well documented, more insight into the impact of different light spectra, from UV radiation to the visible light spectrum, on strawberry plants is required. This will allow growers to maximize yield and rapidly adapt to consumer preferences. In this review, a compilation of studies investigating the effect of light properties on strawberry fruit flavonoids is provided, and a comparative analysis of how light spectra influences strawberry’s photobiology and secondary metabolism is presented. The effects of pre-harvest and post-harvest light treatments with UV radiation and visible light are considered. Future studies and implications for LED lighting configurations in strawberry fruit production for researchers and growers are discussed.
Highlights
Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is a valuable crop cultivated worldwide
This may lead to improved strawberry fruit production and quality with additional health values in antioxidant activity, while possibly allowing for knowledge transfer to other berry plants grown in controlled environment (CE)
Information on photobiology research can be utilized to tailor artificial light spectra, which can target the development of flavonoid content in strawberry fruits
Summary
Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is a valuable crop cultivated worldwide. All strawberry species belong to the genus Fragaria and are members of Rosaceae, a family that contains many economically significant crops, primarily fruits such as apple (Malus domestica), pear (Pyrus communis), and peach (Prunas persica). The most cultivated strawberry species produced in North America is F. Strawberry fruits are part of a growing trend that highlights plant-derived antioxidants for their proven health benefits (Nile and Park, 2014). These consumer-liking and health-promoting properties have led to strawberry’s strong economic role in the fruit industry
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