Green physical and chemical treatments on fruit produce to implement resistance to adversity, improve nutraceuticals, and reduce post-harvest waste

Fruit quality perceptions and managements have experienced deep changes in Italy. While fruit quality was once primarily defined in the field, with importance to taste and ripening, over time has shifted towards aesthetic standards and postharvest preservation techniques. Today, the challenge lies in achieving the balance, where technological innovation supports intrinsic quality and meets consumer demand for sustainability, nutritional value, and sensory attributes. Within this context, elicitor treatments have gained attention for their ability to activate mechanisms, enhance phenolic content, and improve nutraceutical quality through eco-friendly approach. The present doctoral research investigated two categories of elicitors; physical elicitors (UV-B and LED light) and a chemical elicitor (Prohexadione-calcium, Pro-Ca) as ecofriendly strategies to enhance fruits quality and storability and to reduce waste along the supply chain of high-value fruits. Light-based elicitation was explored in blueberries and raspberries, selected for their postharvest challenges. In blueberries, the typical clustered fruiting often causes uneven ripening and color regression during storage, while raspberries suffer from rapid softening and decay. Short postharvest UV-B and white LED exposures were tested to promote uniform pigmentation, stabilize anthocyanins, and improve firmness. The use of Pro-Ca was explored in sweet cherries to address production issues linked to excessive vegetative vigor, which persists even when adopting dwarfing rootstocks in intensive orchards of Northern Italy. By controlling vigor and improving light distribution, Pro-Ca was expected to enhance fruit set, color development, and storability. Results showed that short light-based treatments (2–10 min) induced secondary metabolite responses, stimulating phenolic metabolism and leading to higher antioxidant capacity, improved pigmentation (+12%), and delayed decay. Pro-Ca applications influenced plant hormonal balance, reducing vegetative growth, increasing fruit set by about 20%, and enhancing firmness, color uniformity, and postharvest performance. In conclusion, the research demonstrated that postharvest low-dose light-based elicitation and preharvest Pro-Ca treatments represent promising, eco-friendly strategies to enhance fruit quality, extend shelf-life, and reduce waste. Their integration into Italian fruit production systems could strengthen both environmental and economic sustainability while meeting modern consumer expectations for high-quality and nutritionally valuable fruits.