Physiological Regulation during the Full Supply Chain of Fruit and Vegetables: Main Challenges from Plant Growth to Product Sales

The growth, ripening, and postharvest handling of fruit and vegetable products are critical stages that determine the quality and shelf life of these essential food commodities. With the global population increasing and consumers demanding healthier food options, the challenges of producing and supplying high-quality, nutritious, and sustainable fruit and vegetable products have become more pronounced. These challenges span from plant science to agricultural practices, including enhancing yield, improving product quality, extending shelf life, and bolstering disease resistance. The need for advanced research in understanding and regulating the physiology of these products throughout their supply chain has never been more critical.

In this Research Topic, we aim to bring together cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews on the physiological regulation throughout the entire supply chain of fruit and vegetable products, from plant growth to product sales. By highlighting the latest advancements and innovations in this field, we hope to provide readers with a better understanding of the challenges faced by plant scientists, agriculturists, as well as farmers, producers, processors, and retailers alike. Our goal is to foster collaborative efforts toward developing more sustainable and efficient practices for ensuring the quality and safety of fruit and vegetable products.

We invite researchers, academics, and industry professionals working in this area to contribute their original research articles, review papers, or short communications that address any aspect relevant to the theme. All submissions will undergo rigorous peer review to ensure their scientific merit and relevance. Specifically, manuscripts within the following themes are recommended (but are not limited to):

• Metabolism of quality-related components
• Endogenous signals involved in quality formation
• Molecular network of quality regulation
• Quality regulation in response to abiotic stress
• Quality regulation in response to biotic stress
• Advanced technologies in quality regulation

We believe that this Research Topic will serve as a valuable resource of cutting-edge knowledge for all those involved in the growth, production, processing, and distribution of fruit and vegetables. We look forward to receiving your contributions and sharing them with our global readership.

Keywords: physiological regulation, fruit and vegetable supply chain, postharvest quality, plant growth and development, stress response, sustainable agriculture

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.