Role of Plant Growth Regulators and Eco-Friendly Postharvest Treatments on Alleviating Chilling Injury and Preserving Quality of Pomegranate Fruit and Arils: A Review

Punica granatum belongs to the Lythraceae family is one of the most important subtropical fruits native to Iran. Although the production of fruit has increased recently, there is still a gap between demand and supply. Improper handling, transportation, packaging and storage, mechanical damage, and susceptibility to chilling injury and its related physiological disorders during long-term storage are the most important causes of pomegranate postharvest losses. Fruit quality is lost with visible symptoms such as weight loss, shriveling, husk scald, fungal rot, aril color degradation, and off-flavor during long-term storage. Preserving the quality is the most important goal of the postharvest physiology industry. To minimize both qualitative and quantitative postharvest losses, it is crucial to apply appropriate knowledge and technologies during both the harvest and postharvest stages of pomegranate production. This helps to maintain the quality and shelf life of the fruit. This paper reviewed recent studies that used simple, eco-friendly, synthetic and organic plant growth regulator treatments in underdeveloped and developing countries, including proper packaging according to consumer demand and safe preservatives application, which significantly reduces postharvest losses and improves overall quality of pomegranate fruit and arils.