A Contemporary Review of Preharvest Mineral Nutrient Management and Defense Elicitor Treatments for Robust Fresh Produce

Supplying fresh produce that meets consumers’ needs necessitates production of robust fruit and vegetables. However, supply chains can struggle to deliver robust produce, especially for delicate leafy vegetables. Interacting preharvest genetic, environment, and management factors influence product robustness at harvest, with subsequent implications for perishability, including food safety. Fresh produce quality typically cannot be improved after harvest. This review explores preharvest interventions to optimize robustness at harvest. It overviews conventional, new, and emerging strategies. It considers mineral nutrient management along with chemical and physical elicitors. It also explores approaches to measure and monitor fresh fruit and vegetable robustness, particularly hyperspectral technologies. Recommendations are proffered for future research towards enhanced fresh produce robustness, particularly leafy vegetables, through preharvest management. Optimizing robustness is fundamental to efficient, effective, and sustainable fresh produce supply chain management, thereby contributing to food security and consumer satisfaction and wellbeing.