Chinese flowering cabbage is prone to senescence and
yellowing
after harvest, leading to a huge postharvest loss. Nitric oxide (NO)
is a multifunctional plant growth regulator, but the effect of preharvest
application of NO on the storage quality of Chinese flowering cabbage
remains unclear. Preharvest application of 50 mg L–1 sodium nitroprusside (SNP, a NO donor) to the roots obviously reduced
leaf yellowing in Chinese flowering cabbage during storage. Proteomic
analysis reveals 198 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in SNP-treated
plants compared to the control. The main DEPs were significantly enriched
in chlorophyll metabolisms, phenylpropanoid synthesis, and antioxidant
pathways. SNP treatment enhanced chlorophyll biosynthesis and suppressed
chlorophyll-degradation-related proteins and genes. It also modulated
flavonoid-biosynthesis-related genes, and 21 significantly regulated
flavonoids were identified in SNP-treated plants. The enhanced antioxidant
capacity in SNP-treated plants was able to decrease chlorophyll catabolism
by inhibiting peroxidase-mediated chlorophyll bleaching. Collectively,
preharvest SNP treatment modulated chlorophyll metabolism and preserved
chlorophyll content in leaves during storage. Moreover, SNP treatment
enhanced flavonoid synthesis, suppressed reactive oxygen species accumulation,
and delayed the senescence process, thereby maintaining leaf greening
in Chinese flowering cabbage. These findings highlight the role of
exogenous NO in alleviating yellowing of leafy vegetables.
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