As a non-toxic, pollution-free, non-residual toxicity, safe, and effective physical method, UV light irradiation can extend the shelf life of fruits, improve the quality of fruits, and conform to the current trend of consumers to pursue green, healthy, and natural food. However, most UV treatments are performed in the postharvest stage. Due to the weak resistance of fresh fruits to mechanical damage, after harvest, UV light treatment of fruits needs to flip the fruits to obtain the full effect of an effective dose, which will inevitably cause different degrees of damage to the skin of the fruits. The research shows that the beneficial effects obtained by UV light treatment are systematic, and the fruits treated by UV light before harvest can obtain similar effects to those treated after harvest. This paper reviewed the effects of preharvest UV light treatment on fruit quality. The effects of preharvest UV light treatment on fruit appearance, flavor, and disease resistance were considered. We conclude that the application of UV light before harvest is of positive significance for the improvement of fruit quality and the extension of shelf life. However, researchers and growers must still correlate the UV light treatment dose with plant response in actual production. Data recording and dose-cultivar-response curve drawing can provide essential guidance for future research and production.

Strawberry fruits accumulate nutritionally critical anthocyanins and phytochemicals through light=quality-dependent metabolic regulation. This review systematically examines spectral modulation strategies for enhancing anthocyanin biosynthesis and fruit quality parameters. We demonstrate that dual red (660 nm) and blue (450 nm) irradiation optimally activates the flavonoid pathway, co-upregulating structural genes (CHS, F3H, DFR, ANS) and regulatory factors (FaMYB10, FaHY5). Mechanistic analyses reveal that blue light preferentially induces upstream phenylpropanoid enzymes (PAL, C4H, CHI), while red light enhances proanthocyanidin production through differential induction of LAR and ANR. Strategic supplementation with UV-C (254 nm, 1–2 kJ/m²/d) and far-red (730 nm, 15 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹) improves anthocyanin spatial distribution via stress-mediated epidermal accumulation. Spectral optimization further coordinates flavor development by (1) balancing sucrose–hexose ratios through FaSPS1 modulation, (2) reducing organic acid content via FaMYB44.2 suppression, and (3) amplifying volatile esters (e.g., methyl anthranilate) through SAAT induction. Postharvest UV-C treatment (4 kJ/m²) extends shelf life by 30–35% through microbial inhibition and antioxidant system activation. Practical implementation frameworks propose phase-specific LED protocols related to vegetative growth (R:B = 3:1), flowering (R:B = 1:1), and maturation (R:B = 4:1) stages integrated with environmental sensors in controlled agriculture systems. These findings establish an actionable paradigm for photonic crop management, synergizing molecular precision with commercial horticultural operations to achieve sustainable yield enhancement (projected 22–28% increase) and nutraceutical enrichment.

Tissue culture-based rapid propagation is critical for genetic improvement and virus-free production of strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa). This study evaluated the optimal concentration of thidiazuron (TDZ) for shoot multiplication and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms. Strawberry explants were treated with TDZ at concentrations of 0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.4 mg·L⁻¹ in vitro, and growth, physiological changes, and transcriptomic profiles were analyzed after four weeks. The results identified 0.05 mg·L⁻¹ TDZ as the most effective concentration for shoot proliferation, yielding a significant increase in leaf number. However, TDZ application inhibited plant height and reduced chlorophyll, carotenoid, and soluble sugar contents. Physiological analyses revealed that TDZ decreased endogenous cytokinin levels while elevating auxin concentrations. Transcriptomic analysis showed that TDZ suppressed cytokinin biosynthesis and up-regulated cytokinin oxidase expression, thereby modulating hormone homeostasis. Additionally, TDZ enhanced the cytokinin signaling pathway, which is crucial for cell division and shoot initiation, and influenced auxin, gibberellin, and brassinosteroid pathways to regulate differentiation. These findings suggest that TDZ promotes strawberry shoot multiplication primarily through hormone signal transduction, providing insights for optimizing tissue culture protocols.