Exogenous GABA enhances phenolics and maintains antioxidant capacity of blueberries by modulating the GABA shunt.

Transcriptome profiling reveals γ-aminobutyric acid-mediated alleviation of chilling injury in pitaya via regulation of phenylpropanoid and phytohormone signaling pathways.

Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying quality formation during Rosa acicularis fruit ripening.

Manure fertilizer-derived soil emerging pollutants compromises its fertility benefits for vegetable quality: At the scale of soil aggregates.

Dual-channel self-supervised multi-task learning for spectral detection of soluble solids content and firmness in Korla fragrant pears.

Postharvest losses of fruits and vegetables represent a global concern, as they are susceptible to spoilage and deterioration. In recent years, numerous studies have explored the effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment on the postharvest preservation of fruits and vegetables. However, due to variations in experimental materials, treatment protocols, and detection parameters, no consensus has yet been reached regarding its efficacy. This study systematically analyzed the overall effects of H2S treatment on improving the quality of various fruits and vegetables and enhancing postharvest storability, while also elucidating the underlying mechanisms. A total of 54 articles were included, from which 43 parameters associated with postharvest quality and stress resistance were extracted in strict adherence to the predefined inclusion criteria. The results demonstrated that H2S treatment enhanced firmness, total chlorophyll (CC), titratable acid (TA), and ascorbic acid (AsA) in postharvest fruits and vegetables, while significantly reducing chilling injury (CI) incidence, weight loss, respiration rate, and ethylene production. Meanwhile, H2S preserved the structural integrity of cell walls and cell membranes, ensuring the stability of cellular energy metabolism. Additionally, H2S promoted the accumulation of endogenous H2S, non-enzymatic antioxidants, and enzymatic antioxidants. Furthermore, significant correlations were found between CI and CC, TA, and AsA in postharvest fruits and vegetables. Multiple linear regression analysis also identified ascorbate peroxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase as key indicators for establishing a stable multivariate model with CI. In conclusion, this systematic review clarifies the efficacy of H2S in reducing postharvest loss and preserving produce freshness, and provides new insights for AI-assisted early warning of CI in fruits and vegetables.

Nitric oxide and phytohormones molecular crosstalk regulating fruit quality and postharvest management.

Preharvest treatment with Bacillus velezensis HIII11 modulates cell wall dynamics and ripening-related processes in strawberry fruit.

Phosphate-buffered saline as pH regulators for citrus postharvest handling water, maintain fruit quality by enhancing the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway

A PpTIFY5A/10A-PpTGA2.1-L complex delaying fruit senescence via salicylic acid antagonized ethylene and jasmonic acid in sand pear

SlERF.F4 negatively regulates tomato fruit susceptibility to Botrytis cinerea independently of ripening traits

Efficacy of plant-based extracts on shelf life and postharvest quality of stored mango fruits was carried out. The experiment was laid out in a CRD with a 2 x 3 factorial experiment replicated 3 times. Healthy mango fruits of two varieties (Julie and Mabrouka) were harvested at harvest maturity and treated by immersing into three treatments Aloe vera gel, Aloe vera bark and a control. The fruits allowed to stay until the fruits were completely coated with the extracts, the stored at ambient temperature. Data obtained from the study was subjected to ANOVA, means were separated using (F-LSD) at 5% level of probability. The study results showed that plant-based extracts had significantly higher (≤0.05) effects on Weight Change, Total Soluble Solids (TSS) (°Brix), Firmness (N/cm), Lycopene (mg/100g), pH, Titratable Acidity (TA) (%), Decay Percentage (%) and Shelf-Life of stored mango fruits as compared to the control. There was no significant difference (≥0.05) in the interaction effect of variety and plant-based on postharvest weight change of fruits at 1 and 3WAS but significant effect was recorded on 0, 2 and 4WAS. TSS of fruits steadily increased in storage, however, the main effect of plant-based extracts as well as the interaction effect of variety and plant-based extracts on the TSS of mango fruits during storage was not significant only on OWAS. At the end of the storage Julie treated with Aloe vera gel (24.70) (°Brix), recorded the highest TSS. At the end of the storage, decay percentage of the untreated fruits was (18.78%), while fruits treated with Aloe vera extract (5.00%) and bark of Aloe vera (15.00%). These botanicals are environmentally friendly, cost effective, easy to produce and safe for consumers. Bio-based extracts of Aloe vera gel and Bark are recommended in the storage of flesh mango fruits.

3D printed Ca2+ crosslinked sodium alginate gel-anthocyanin natural sensor with enhanced structural stability for tracking fruit and vegetable quality.

Food crops are enriching with nutrients and useful compound but their growth and fruit quality decline with NaCl stress. Plant based nanoparticle are promising to maintain biomass and good quality fruit even in saline soils. This study tested the efficacy of Withania somnifera nanoparticles to maximize tomato growth and nutrition retentions under 150 mM NaCl. Plant treated with the ZnO nanoparticles extracted with W. somnifera enhanced most of the growth parameters under both control and saline condition. Water relations such as maximum relative water content were increased about 84% and electrolyte leakage by 54% with 20 mgL-1 ZnO NPs at 150 mM NaCl compared to control. The Malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased with the increase in NaCl but this effect was decline with applying the biogenic ZnO nanoparticles. Total protein, catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase and DPPH were increased with plants supplemented with 20 mgL-1 ZnO NPs at 150 mM NaCl. The chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total Chlorophyll and carotenoids increased substantially with 20 mgL-1 ZnO NPs 150 mM NaCl compared to control. The lycopene and total sugar content in tomato fruits also increases with increase of ZnO NPs. The mineral analysis such as zinc (6 folds), sodium (63%), calcium (6 folds), iron (6 folds), potassium (3 folds) and magnesium (8.3%) of treated tomato leaves and fruits also showed the prominent increase in the value of Zn and other elements. Application of ZnO nanoparticle from W. somnifera enhances biomass of tomato with nutrient retention and fruit yield to advance saline agriculture.

Huanglongbing (HLB) disease is caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), which is a bacterium that affects citrus metabolism, impacting fruit quality and yield. This study determined the effectiveness of a bio- enzyme that was prepared in the lab to help correct the metabolic disturbances that HLB causes in six varieties of Citrus limon and Citrus sinensis. The volatile and non-volatile metabolites were analysed by GC-MS, and significant changes in metabolites, such as limonene, linalool, alpha-terpineol or other stress factors like methyl salicylate, aldehyde and others, were found. Changes in the levels of metabolites by HLB infection were quantified by qPCR analysis. Bio-enzyme treatment resulted in a reduction in CLas titers and partially corrected metabolic stability by increase of defence associated metabolites, such as γ-terpinene, β-caryophyllene, ferulic acid, naringenin and chlorogenic acid. The principal component analysis showed a clear separation between treated and untreated plants, while ANOVA showed significant differences between cultivars and treatments (p < 0.05). Based on these results, it can be concluded that bioenzymes can be used as a mutation for better citrus plant tolerance toward HLB-infection that can be considered as a sustainable management practice.

Superior seeds play an important role in increasing cayenne pepper productivity; however, studies specifically examining farmer satisfaction with particular seed products remain limited. This study aimed to analyze the satisfaction level of farmers using Absolut 69 cayenne pepper seeds produced by PT. Mitra Merdeka Tani in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) using the Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) method. The research was conducted from November 2025 to April 2026 in Sleman, Bantul, and Kulon Progo Regencies. A total of 100 farmers were selected through purposive sampling, with the criterion that they had used Absolut 69 seeds for at least two consecutive planting seasons. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with a 1–4 Likert scale covering 21 satisfaction attributes grouped into five dimensions. The results showed a CSI value of 80.12%, indicating that farmers were highly satisfied with the product. The attribute with the highest importance level (MIS) was fruit quality, including color, size, and shape (3.29), while the lowest importance level was found in the benefits of promotional activities (3.04). In terms of performance (MSS), ease of access to seed sellers or distributors achieved the highest score (3.41), reflecting good distribution accessibility for farmers. Conversely, seed stock availability during the planting season recorded the lowest performance score (3.06), indicating supply constraints during periods of high demand. Overall, farmers expressed a very high level of satisfaction with Absolut 69 seeds; however, improvements in distribution management and stock availability should be prioritized to sustain farmer satisfaction in the long term. Keywords: Absolut 69, cayenne pepper seeds, Customer Satisfaction Index, farmer satisfaction, seed products

Single-cell RNA-seq uncovers landscape of tomato metabolic rewiring mediated by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria.

Crop yield and quality are influenced by root morphology, but the impact of root morphology on cherry tomatoes under Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) film mulching (EUV treatment) with Eu3⁺-VTB450 light converter remains unclear. In this study, "Meiying No. 2" cherry tomato was selected as the experimental material, and a one-factor randomized block field experiment with conventional EVA film mulching (CK) and EUV treatment was conducted to investigate the effects of EUV treatment on the yield and quality of the crop. The results showed that EUV treatment induced reconstruction of the light spectral composition, resulting in a 17.0% and 13.5% increase in blue light and red-orange light proportions, respectively (P < 0.05). Compared with CK, EUV treatment improved root development, SPAD values, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and gas exchange parameters of cherry tomatoes at each growth stage, with agronomic traits improved to varying degrees. The contents of lycopene, soluble sugar, soluble solids, soluble protein, and vitamin C in fruits increased by 20.4%, 15.9%, 36.6%, 36.5%, and 13.4%, respectively, and the harvest yield increased by 33.1%. Furthermore, partial least squares path modeling revealed that EUV treatment optimized root growth by regulating the light spectral composition, which in turn enhanced plant photosynthesis and growth, ultimately leading to comprehensive improvements in yield and quality. In conclusion, this study systematically investigated the effects of EUV on the growth physiology of cherry tomatoes, while providing novel solutions for light quality regulation in horticultural plants.

Cisgenic introduction of Rvi15 or FB_MR5 into 'Gala' generated single-copy lines with ≤ 201bp vector remnants and high disease resistance, supporting cisgenesis as a powerful tool for commercial apple improvement. Cisgenesis can be used to transfer disease resistance genes from wild apple germplasm into established apple cultivars, reducing their susceptibility to diseases. This approach allows combining disease resistance and fruit quality traits without compromising the desirable characteristics of the original cultivar. In our study, we used the binary plasmid vector pMF1 to create three apple scab-resistant cisgenic 'Gala' lines with the apple scab resistance gene Rvi15, and three fire blight-resistant cisgenic 'Gala' lines with the fire blight resistance gene FB_MR5. Quantitative PCR revealed that five of six cisgenic lines had a single integrated T-DNA copy, and targeted locus amplification enabled the identification and characterization of insertion sites in five lines. All characterized lines showed T-DNA trimming at the borders, with a total length of non-endogenous sequences at their respective insertion sites ranging from 135 to 201 base pairs. The presence of such residual vector sequences can influence the regulatory status of cisgenic plants, as some countries may classify these lines as genetically modified plants. All cisgenic lines exhibited increased disease resistance compared to the untransformed control genotype 'Gala'. However, the achieved resistances are based on single genes, and it will be necessary to develop combinations of different resistance genes for more durable resistance. Resistance, durability, and evolving regulatory frameworks are crucial factors that together will determine the success of the cisgenic approach in achieving both high fruit quality and resistance for sustainable apple production.

Heterologous over expression of blueberry VcBR6OX1 triggers seedless/low-seed tomatoes via elevatingendogenous GA4, reshaping multi-hormone homeostasis and modulating hormone signal transductionpathways to regulate seed development as confirmed by transcriptome analysis. If highlight marking is needed, it is shown as follows: （1） Heterologous overexpression of the blueberry VcBR6OX1 gene can induce seedless or low-seedtomato fruits; （2） The endogenous gibberellin GA4 in transgenic plants is significantly increased, and the dynamichomeostasis of the multiple hormone network is reconfigured （3） Transcriptome analysis reveals that BR6OX1 affects seed development by regulating the hormonesignal transduction pathway. Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) have attracted widespread attention due to their unique flavor and high antioxidant activity. However, the high seed content of some blueberry cultivars affects their texture and processing costs. The development of seedless or low-seed cultivars is essential for improving fruit quality and economic benefits. This study used bioinformatics, genetic transformation, and transcriptomic analysis to investigate the role and regulatory mechanisms of the blueberry Brassinosteroid-6-oxidase 1 (BR6OX1) gene in the formation of seedless fruits. The results revealed that the BR6OX1 gene in blueberries encodes an unstable hydrophilic protein with a conserved cytochrome P450 superfamily domain and is highly evolutionarily similar to that in closely related species. The introduction of the BR6OX1 gene into tomatoes revealed that its overexpression significantly affects the growth and development of tomato plants, resulting in seedless or low-seeded fruits. Endogenous hormone analysis revealed that the gibberellic acid (GA4) content significantly increased in the transgenic tomato plants, whereas the auxin (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA) contents exhibited differential changes at different developmental stages. Further transcriptome analysis of the transgenic plants revealed that BR6OX1 overexpression significantly affects plant hormone signaling pathways, particularly by causing significant changes in the expression of genes related to hormone synthesis and signaling, such as those encoding auxin, gibberellin, abscisic acid, and ethylene. These results suggest that the BR6OX1 gene may influence fruit set by regulating the balance of plant hormones. This study provides an important theoretical basis for developing seedless blueberries and lays the foundation for the application of this gene in the improvement of fruit quality.