Molecular Plant Breeding 2024, Vol.15, No.6, 328-339 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/mpb 331 have shown that exogenous selenium supplementation can significantly increase the levels of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants in strawberry fruits. For example, Huang et al. (2023) reported that a selenium treatment concentration of 0.006% significantly increased the vitamin C content in strawberries, contributing to enhanced antioxidant capacity. Additionally, selenium application did not negatively impact the growth or yield of strawberries but instead promoted mineral accumulation in the fruits (Mimmo et al., 2017). Metabolomic analyses further revealed that selenium-enriched strawberries showed an increase in flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds. These secondary metabolites not only benefit human health but also enhance the antioxidant properties of the fruit (Mimmo et al., 2017). These results indicate that selenium, as a biofortifying element, improves the nutritional profile of strawberries while offering potential health benefits, providing valuable insights for the development of selenium-enriched strawberry varieties. 3.2 Improving flavor and texture of strawberries Selenium has also demonstrated a positive role in improving the flavor and texture of strawberry fruits. By regulating sugar and acid metabolism, selenium application can optimize the flavor characteristics of the fruit. For instance, Lin et al. (2024) found that Na2SeO3 treatment significantly increased the activities of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) and acid invertase, leading to higher sucrose, fructose, and glucose levels in the fruit, thereby enhancing its sweetness. Simultaneously, the treatment inhibited citrate synthase activity, reducing the fruit's acidity and further improving its taste. Similarly, research by Huang et al. (2023) demonstrated that combined application of selenium and zinc promoted the accumulation of soluble sugars in strawberries, significantly enhancing the fruit’s taste. By balancing sugar and acid metabolism, selenium not only improves the nutritional composition of strawberries but also enhances their flavor and consumer appeal, boosting their market competitiveness. 3.3 Extending postharvest shelf life Selenium treatments have shown remarkable potential in extending the postharvest shelf life of strawberries, making them highly applicable in postharvest management. It was reported that selenium-treated strawberries exhibited significantly reduced incidence and severity of gray mold, while maintaining better peel color and overall appearance (Lin et al., 2023). The results showed that the 12 mg/L selenium treatment significantly reduced the weight loss and decay rate of strawberries, while maintaining fruit skin brightness, increasing selenium content, and effectively delaying the onset and progression of gray mold (Figure 2). This effect is primarily attributed to the selenium treatment's ability to reduce oxidative stress in the fruit, decrease the production of reactive oxygen species (H2O2 andO2 −), and thereby protect the integrity of the cell membranes. Additionally, Zhu et al. (2021) highlighted that treatment with highly efficient and stable Se-NPs effectively inhibited the growth of pathogenic fungi, such as those causing wilting and red leaf disease, while increasing selenium accumulation in the fruit. This approach not only extended the shelf life of strawberries but also preserved their nutritional value and flavor, offering a practical solution for improving the postharvest quality of strawberries. 4 Applications of Selenium Biofortification in Strawberry Cultivation 4.1 Current status of selenium-enriched strawberry varieties The development of selenium-enriched strawberry varieties has gained increasing attention in recent years, aiming to enhance the selenium content in strawberry fruits through biofortification techniques while maintaining or improving their nutritional value and quality. Studies have shown that exogenous selenium supplementation does not significantly negatively affect strawberry growth and yield but instead promotes selenium accumulation in the fruits (Mimmo et al., 2017). By applying selenium via foliar spray or soil amendment, researchers have successfully achieved effective selenium accumulation in strawberries, laying a solid technical foundation for developing selenium-enriched varieties.
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