Metal ions regulate postharvest deterioration triggered by wounding in crops

Postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD) is a process that causes rapid tissue discoloration and leads to major economic losses across a wide range of crops, with cassava being particularly susceptible. This phenomenon is strongly linked to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) triggered by mechanical wounding.

This study identified that the superoxide anion (O2•−), a type of ROS, rapidly increases after wounding and is closely associated with the onset of PPD. Genes encoding iron (Fe2+)- and copper (Cu2+)-dependent enzymes were also found in tissues where ROS accumulation occurs.

The application of Fe2+ competitors such as cobalt and nickel, iron chelators, or high concentrations of Cu2+ significantly reduced ROS accumulation and tissue discoloration. In addition, cobalt disrupted the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites related to PPD in cassava, with consistent effects observed across multiple crop species.

These findings indicate that metal ion-dependent enzymatic pathways play a key role in regulating wound-induced oxidative stress and the initiation of postharvest deterioration, offering a promising basis for targeted preservation strategies.

Source

Liu, L., Wang, C., Zhang, Y., He, H., Qi, H., Fang, X., Xiao, Q., Kuang, J., Li, H., Du, X., Ji, C., Guo, A., Chen, S., Zhao, H., Zheng, Z., & Hu, S. (2026). Control of wounding-triggered postharvest physiological deterioration by metal ions in crops. ScienceDirect.