The Role of Exogenous GA₃ in Regulating Postharvest Quality and Cold Stress Tolerance in Horticultural Crops

Document Type : Review articles

Authors

Department of Horticultural Science and Engineering, Faculty of Plant Production, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

10.22091/ijpb.2026.17337.1015

Abstract

The use of plant growth regulators, particularly gibberellic acid (GA₃), is an established biotechnological strategy to enhance postharvest quality and minimize losses in various horticultural commodities, including fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals. This diterpenoid hormone delays senescence by modulating metabolic pathways, including the suppression of respiration rates, inhibition of ethylene biosynthesis and perception, and restriction of cell wall-degrading enzyme activity. However, the efficacy of GA₃ is highly variable and depends critically on factors such as concentration, application method, cultivar-specific responsiveness, developmental stage at treatment, and subsequent storage conditions. While GA₃ treatments are often associated with improved structural stability and the preservation of nutritional indicators like soluble solids, physiological outcomes vary significantly based on these aforementioned variables. Furthermore, the role of GA₃ in stress management requires a clear distinction: preharvest application has demonstrated potential in mitigating frost-induced stress and chilling injury by modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and enhancing antioxidant capacity, whereas postharvest applications primarily focus on senescence delay. Although some evidence suggests GA₃ may indirectly support the suppression of postharvest fungal diseases, the underlying mechanisms remain complex and warrant further investigation. Conclusively, while GA₃ is not a universal solution, the optimization of application protocols represents a strategic tool for improving supply chain efficiency in horticultural industries.

Keywords

Iranian journal of postharvest biology
Volume 2, Issue 3
September 2026

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics