From growth to table: exploring the impact of pre-harvest conditions on greenhouse vegetable quality

Abstract

Abstract Produce quality is a multifaceted issue influenced by many factors. In addition to visual characteristics, properties such as texture, mineral and vitamin content, flavour and other sensory characteristics must be considered. Meeting the demands for premium crop quality while balancing both product- and consumer-oriented requirements presents rising challenges. Greenhouse cultivation offers controlled environments that are conducive to year-round production, promoting plant growth and extending the harvesting period. Here, we compiled the impact of pre-harvest factors on the quality of produce within protected cultivation settings. Optimized environmental conditions in greenhouses positively impacted vegetable growth, development, nutrient absorption and overall produce quality. Current research efforts are primarily focused on understanding the effects of light intensity and spectrum, often in conjunction with photoperiod lengths, to enhance specific nutrients, phytochemicals and functional components in crops. Investigations also explore environmental factors' direct and indirect impacts on root development and plant–soil interactions. Concurrently, studies investigate the complex relationship between environmental conditions and agricultural practices in shaping trends in vegetable produce quality. Advancements in plant breeding, greenhouse engineering, controlling environmental conditions and cultivation management are necessary. Achieving high yield while maintaining high-quality produce requires navigating a complex array of factors, which often requires strategic compromises in pursuit of environmentally sustainable greenhouse production. The ultimate objective is to consistently identify and leverage these multifaceted trends to enhance vegetable quality throughout the year. The quality of vegetables from protected cultivation, from growth to table, should be a top priority for farmers and equally crucial to the food industry. Significance of the study What is already known on this subject? Produce quality is a complex trait that involves visual, sensory, nutritional and functional factors. Greenhouse cultivation enables controlled environmental conditions, supporting continuous year-round crop production. There are complex interactions between environmental conditions and agricultural practices that affect vegetable shoot and root development, nutrient uptake and, in turn, produce quality. What are the new findings? Optimized pre-harvest environmental conditions in protected cultivation systems substantially enhance produce quality and the nutritional and sensory profiles of vegetables. Genetic material, environmental and agrotechnological conditions, including harvesting, directly and indirectly, impact the final produce quality. Integrative research combining advanced greenhouse technologies, precision environmental control and genotype-specific cultivation strategies reveals novel pathways to enhance the quality features of vegetables. What are the expected impacts on horticulture? The implementation of cutting-edge, environmentally responsive cultivation protocols will empower growers to precisely modulate crop traits, thereby facilitating the consistent production of high-value, nutrient-rich vegetables. This work lays the foundation for a paradigm shift in greenhouse production, one that aligns high yield performance with superior quality and environmental sustainability.

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