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Journal of Integrative Agriculture
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Molecular mechanisms of reactive oxygen species homeostasis in fruit development and maturation: An integrated perspective from reproductive biology to postharvest preservation

Xueying Zhang1, 2, Hang Su1, 2, Ke Li1, 2, Lihu Wang1, 2#

1 School of Landscape and Ecological Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, 056038, China

2 Key Laboratory of Forest and Fruit Trees Elite Germplasm Exploration of Handan, Handan056038China

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摘要  

活性氧(ROS)是植物体内重要的信号分子,在果实发育与成熟过程中具有双重作用:既是调控多种生理进程的关键因子,也可能诱发氧化损伤。果实发育期间,ROS 的动态变化受到植物激素、代谢通路、转录因子、功能基因及表观遗传修饰等多层级调控网络的协同作用。在生殖发育阶段,ROS信号广泛参与植物配子体发育、绒毡层程序性细胞死亡、花粉-雌蕊识别、花粉管伸长以及坐果初期的逆境胁迫响应等过程。进入果实发育、成熟与衰老阶段后,ROS信号在细胞膨大、色素生物合成、细胞壁重塑、表观遗传修饰及激素交互作用等关键环节中发挥了重要调控作用。然而,ROS过量积累会破坏植物细胞膜与细胞壁结构,加速果实衰老、软化及风味劣变。采用适宜的外源处理可提升果实抗氧化能力,减少ROS积累,从而有效维持采后果实品质并延长货架期。本文系统综述了ROS信号在果实发育全过程中的双重功能,梳理了当前研究存在的关键问题与局限,展望了未来值得关注的研究方向,旨在为提升果实产量与采后品质提供理论参考。



Abstract  

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) function as pivotal signaling molecules that play a dual role in fruit development and maturation processes, serving as both essential regulators of physiological pathways and potential inducers of oxidative damage. Dynamic changes in ROS during fruit development are precisely orchestrated by a regulatory network consisting of plant hormones, metabolic pathways, transcription factors, functional genes, and epigenetic modifications. ROS signaling participates in gametophyte development, tapetum programmed cell death, pollen-pistil recognition, pollen tube growth, and stress resistance during fruit set initiation. During fruit development, maturation, and ripening, ROS mediate crucial processes including cell expansion, pigment biosynthesis, cell wall remodeling, epigenetic modifications, and hormonal crosstalk. Excessive ROS causes membrane and cell wall damage, accelerating senescence, softening, and flavor deterioration. Appropriate exogenous treatments enhance antioxidant capacity, reduce ROS accumulation, and maintain postharvest fruit quality and shelf life. This review presents novel insights into the dual functions of ROS during fruit development, identifies key unresolved questions and current limitations in the field, and proposes promising future research directions, and offers a theoretical basis for developing effective approaches to improve fruit production and postharvest quality.

Online: 03 September 2026  
Fund: 

This research was funded by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32302488), Key Talent Program of the Yanzhao Golden Platform Talent Initiative, Hebei Province (Platform for Returned Overseas Students,C2024007), Young Top-Notch Talents Project of the Scientific Research Plan Projects for Higher Schools in Hebei Province (BJ2025018).

About author:  #Correspondence Lihu Wang, E-mail: wanglihu@hebeu.edu.cn

Cite this article: 

Xueying Zhang, Hang Su, Ke Li, Lihu Wang. 2026. Molecular mechanisms of reactive oxygen species homeostasis in fruit development and maturation: An integrated perspective from reproductive biology to postharvest preservation. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, Doi:10.1016/j.jia.2026.09.011

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