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Horticulturae
Special Issues
Postharvest Physiology and Preservation Technology of Horticultural Plants
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Postharvest Physiology and Preservation Technology of Horticultural Plants

A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Postharvest Biology, Quality, Safety, and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 6129

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Pufan Zheng

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Guest Editor
National Engineering Technology Research Center for Preservation of Agriculture Product, Institute of Agricultural Products Preservation and Processing Technology, Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Tianjin 300384, China
Interests: postharvest biology; plant physiology; fruit preservation; fruit quality; fruit science; metabonomics
Dr. Cunkun Chen

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Guest Editor
National Engineering Technology Research Center for Preservation of Agriculture Product, Institute of Agricultural Products Preservation and Processing Technology, Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Tianjin 300384, China
Interests: food storage; postharvest physiology; preservation technology; antioxidant; reactive oxygen species

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Horticultural plants such as fruits and vegetables are important food sources for human beings and are essential foods for human life. However, their postharvest quality is highly dependent on the storage conditions, and appropriate preservation techniques are beneficial to the freshness and quality of these horticultural plants, effectively avoiding quality deterioration problems such as water loss, yellowing, and rotting caused by the abiotic stresses in the postharvest process. Therefore, it is necessary to study the appropriate postharvest preservation techniques for different horticultural plants and the physiological responses of horticultural plants during the postharvest process. This Special Issue welcomes research on the effects of various preservation techniques in different horticultural plants, including water migration, softening mechanisms, secondary metabolites, and physiological responses, as well as the development of green preservation techniques, the application of new preservation techniques, and other related studies.

Dr. Pufan Zheng
Dr. Cunkun Chen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Horticulturae is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • postharvest biology
  • preservation technology
  • storage quality
  • secondary metabolites
  • physiological responses

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 3431 KB  
Article
Effects of Ozone Treatment on Reactive Oxygen Species Metabolism and Storage Quality of Flat Jujubes (Ziziphus jujuba Mill. cv. Panzao)
by Xuyang Peng, Pufan Zheng, Xiaoxue Li, Cunkun Chen, Chenghu Dong, Na Zhang, Haipeng Ji, Jinze Yu, Ying Gao, Tinghu Ju, Yinxing Zhang, Ruixiang Yan and Aiqiang Chen
Horticulturae 2025, 11(9), 1142; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11091142 - 19 Sep 2025
Viewed by 306
Abstract
Moderate ozone exposure has emerged as a sustainable strategy to enhance postharvest quality in perishable fruits. This study investigated the effects of ozone treatment (2.14–19.27 mg/m3) on flat jujube during 70-day cold storage (0 °C). Results demonstrated that following 70 days [...] Read more.
Moderate ozone exposure has emerged as a sustainable strategy to enhance postharvest quality in perishable fruits. This study investigated the effects of ozone treatment (2.14–19.27 mg/m3) on flat jujube during 70-day cold storage (0 °C). Results demonstrated that following 70 days of storage, the ideal ozone concentration (10.72 mg/m3, T2) led to a decrease in weight loss of 44.8% and preserved 66.7% firmness when compared to the control check (CK) group. The T2 group suppressed the respiration rate and delayed declines in total soluble solids (TSSs) and titratable acid (TA). Mechanistically, ozone enhances enzymatic activity, with T2 elevating superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxiredoxin (POD) activities while reducing the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation. Total phenolics and flavonoids in T2 remained 42% and 52% higher than CK at 56 days, correlating with elevated 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-Azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS) scavenging activities. Browning inhibition (25% lower than the CK group) is linked to suppressed polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and phenolic oxidation. Principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed ozone’s efficacy in delaying senescence via ROS homeostasis and antioxidant synergy. These findings establish moderate ozone as a novel, eco-friendly intervention to extend jujubes’ shelf life, emphasizing its dual role in quality preservation and oxidative stress regulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Postharvest Physiology and Preservation Technology of Horticultural Plants)
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29 pages, 3837 KB  
Article
The Effect of Alternative Nutrient Supplements on Histological Traits and Postharvest Water Loss in Pepper Fruit
by Csilla Tóth, Gábor Gergő Pilik, Katalin Irinyi Oláh and Brigitta Tóth
Horticulturae 2025, 11(9), 1113; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11091113 - 13 Sep 2025
Viewed by 479
Abstract
Postharvest water loss critically determines the shelf life and quality of pepper fruits. This study investigated how three alternative soil amendments—rhyolite tuff (RT), composted and pelletized poultry litter (CPPL), and clarifying agent (CA)—affect water loss, structural traits, and their interrelationships across three ripening [...] Read more.
Postharvest water loss critically determines the shelf life and quality of pepper fruits. This study investigated how three alternative soil amendments—rhyolite tuff (RT), composted and pelletized poultry litter (CPPL), and clarifying agent (CA)—affect water loss, structural traits, and their interrelationships across three ripening stages (immature, mature, and overripe) in the Hungarian wax pepper cultivar ‘Tizenegyes’. A completely randomized design (CRD) was applied in a small-plot field experiment. Macro- and micromorphometrical analyses included pericarp, cuticle, epidermis, collenchyma, hypodermis, parenchyma, and endocarp thickness; fruit fresh weight; surface area; and the surface area-to-weight ratio (SA/W). Daily weight measurements were used to quantify water loss, while cuticle function was assessed by comparing wax-removed and intact fruits. The water loss rate (WLR) was strongly influenced by pericarp tissue structure—particularly cuticle thickness, hypodermal cell layer number and thickness, and collenchyma cell wall thickness—as well as fruit size at ripening stage. Among treatments, RT was the most effective in reducing postharvest water loss and extending fruit shelf life. Fruits from the control plots lost 26% more water than RT samples, 12.8% more than CPPL, and 14.2% more than CA. Although RT-treated fruits were smaller, they had thicker pericarp and hypodermis layers, more collenchymatous cell rows, and thicker cell walls, all of which contributed to lower water loss and prolonged freshness. These findings highlight RT as a promising alternative nutrient source for sustainable pepper production, with significant potential to improve postharvest quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Postharvest Physiology and Preservation Technology of Horticultural Plants)
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16 pages, 2423 KB  
Article
Green Light Enhances the Postharvest Quality of Lettuce During Cold Storage
by Shafieh Salehinia, Fardad Didaran, Yvan Gariepy, Sasan Aliniaeifard, Sarah MacPherson and Mark Lefsrud
Horticulturae 2025, 11(7), 792; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11070792 - 4 Jul 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 956
Abstract
The postharvest quality of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is significantly influenced by the lighting environment during storage. This study evaluated the effects of green LEDs at 500 nm and 530 nm, white LEDs (400–700 nm), and dark storage on lettuce quality over [...] Read more.
The postharvest quality of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is significantly influenced by the lighting environment during storage. This study evaluated the effects of green LEDs at 500 nm and 530 nm, white LEDs (400–700 nm), and dark storage on lettuce quality over 14 days at 5 °C. All treatments were applied at 10 µmol m−2 s−1 under a 12 h photoperiod. Quality parameters measured included moisture loss, relative water content (RWC), photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content (SPAD), total soluble solids (TSSs), electrolyte leakage (EL), color change (∆E), texture (crispness), and overall visual quality (OVQ). Lettuce stored under green LEDs, particularly 530 nm, exhibited superior postharvest quality. Compared to dark storage, 530 nm reduced moisture loss by 7.1%, increased RWC by 9.2%, and reduced transpiration rate. The green light preserved photosynthetic activity (43% decline vs. 77% in the dark), increased TSS, reduced color change by 42%, improved crispness by 46.1%, and limited EL to 54.5%. Shelf life was extended by approximately four days. The 500 nm treatment showed notable improvements, including an 8.4% reduction in moisture loss, 8.2% higher RWC, a smaller photosynthesis decline (25%), and the lowest EL (53.1%). It improved color retention (∆E reduced by 45.3%) and crispness (46.8%). Both green wavelengths effectively maintained lettuce quality during cold storage, with 530 nm being the most effective overall. These results suggest that targeted green LED lighting is a promising, energy-efficient strategy to preserve postharvest quality and extend shelf life in leafy greens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Postharvest Physiology and Preservation Technology of Horticultural Plants)
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19 pages, 3195 KB  
Article
Postharvest Quality and Biochemical Changes in Blood Orange Fruit Exposed to Various Non-Chilling Storage Temperatures
by Fariborz Habibi, Muhammad A. Shahid, Talia Jacobson, Cătălin Voiniciuc, Jeffrey K. Brecht and Ali Sarkhosh
Horticulturae 2025, 11(5), 493; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11050493 - 30 Apr 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1075
Abstract
Blood oranges grown in subtropical and tropical regions have low anthocyanin levels and a pale internal color at the point of commercial maturity. Since blood oranges are cold-dependent and can enhance anthocyanin during postharvest storage, the effects of various non-chilling storage temperatures (10, [...] Read more.
Blood oranges grown in subtropical and tropical regions have low anthocyanin levels and a pale internal color at the point of commercial maturity. Since blood oranges are cold-dependent and can enhance anthocyanin during postharvest storage, the effects of various non-chilling storage temperatures (10, 15, and 20 °C) on ‘Moro’ blood orange fruit quality and biochemical changes over a period of up to 42 days were investigated for total anthocyanin concentration (TAC), total phenolic content (TPC), total antioxidant activity (TAA), juice attributes, and physical qualities. Fruit weight and firmness losses increased during storage, with the lowest losses occurring at 10 °C. Titratable acidity (TA) decreased, with the lowest values recorded at 20 °C. Total soluble solids (TSSs) and the TSS/TA ratio increased, with the highest values observed at 20 °C. The sucrose content showed slight changes, while glucose and fructose levels increased during storage, with the highest concentrations of glucose and fructose noted at 20 °C. TAC, TPC, and TAA significantly increased during storage, with the highest values recorded at 10 °C, suggesting upregulation of the fruit antioxidant system and associated bioactive components in response to the lower temperature. Throughout the storage period, peel color parameters, such as L*, b*, C*, and h°, decreased at all temperatures, whereas a*, citrus color index (CCI), and total color difference (ΔE) increased. This study concludes that a storage temperature of 10 °C proved effective in enhancing TAC, TPC, and TAA during storage, as well as in maintaining the other physicochemical attributes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Postharvest Physiology and Preservation Technology of Horticultural Plants)
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16 pages, 6335 KB  
Article
Melatonin Treatment Delays the Senescence of Cut Flowers of “Diguan” Tree Peony by Affecting Water Balance and Physiological Properties
by Mengdi Wu, Peidong Zhang, Yuke Sun, Wenqian Shang, Liyun Shi, Shuiyan Yu, Songlin He, Yinglong Song and Zheng Wang
Horticulturae 2025, 11(2), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11020181 - 8 Feb 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1043
Abstract
Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.), which is a traditional flower cultivated in China, is rapidly becoming an important species in the cut flower industry. Thus, extending the vase life of tree peony cut flowers is a major goal in the cut flower [...] Read more.
Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.), which is a traditional flower cultivated in China, is rapidly becoming an important species in the cut flower industry. Thus, extending the vase life of tree peony cut flowers is a major goal in the cut flower industry. Melatonin, which is a new type of antioxidant, plays an important regulatory role in the preservation of cut flowers. Therefore, this study employed the cut flower of tree peony “Diguan” as the test material to investigate the preservative effects of the antioxidant melatonin on the cut flower of tree peony “Diguan”. We examined tree peony cut flowers in terms of their morphology, lifespan, relative fresh weight, relative diameter, and water balance value after treatments with different melatonin concentrations (0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 mg·L−1) to select the optimal treatment concentration. Considered together, these analyses clarified the effects of melatonin on the preservation of “Diguan” tree peony cut flowers. Specifically, the exogenous application of melatonin positively affected the preservation of tree peony cut flowers by improving the water balance value and increasing the soluble protein content and antioxidant enzyme activities, thereby prolonging the ornamental period of tree peony cut flowers. The fresh weight of flower branches is significantly positively correlated with soluble protein, and cut flower lifespan increases with the values of soluble protein and the fresh weight of flower branches, with a large correlation coefficient. It can be used as an important indicator to measure cut flower lifespan in subsequent research. The 0.4 mg L−1 melatonin treatment was optimal for preserving tree peony cut flowers because of its positive effects on the duration of the ornamental period and ornamental quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Postharvest Physiology and Preservation Technology of Horticultural Plants)
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Review

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15 pages, 608 KB  
Review
Melatonin: An Eco-Friendly Preservative for Improving Post-Harvest Quality and Longevity of Cut Flowers
by Toan Nguyen and Suong Ha
Horticulturae 2025, 11(6), 574; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11060574 - 23 May 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1127
Abstract
Post-harvest quality and longevity of cut flowers are critical factors influencing customer satisfaction and purchase decisions. Maintaining post-harvest quality and ensuring a long vase life (VL) present significant challenges to the floriculture industry due to the perishable nature of cut flowers. Recent studies [...] Read more.
Post-harvest quality and longevity of cut flowers are critical factors influencing customer satisfaction and purchase decisions. Maintaining post-harvest quality and ensuring a long vase life (VL) present significant challenges to the floriculture industry due to the perishable nature of cut flowers. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of melatonin (MT), a multifunctional biomolecule, to improve the post-harvest quality and longevity of floricultural products. This review highlights recent advances in the application of MT to improve the longevity and post-harvest quality of cut flowers. The physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms underlying MT’s effects, along with various application methods, are discussed. Furthermore, current challenges and knowledge gaps are identified, and future research directions are proposed to explore MT’s potential in diverse flower species and its practical application in the cut flower industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Postharvest Physiology and Preservation Technology of Horticultural Plants)
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