Gao Tengteng, Liu Xiaomin, Tan Kexin, Zhang Danni, Zhu Bolin, Ma Fengwang, Li Chao
State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.
Hortic Res. 2022 Apr 22;9:uhac094. doi: 10.1093/hr/uhac094. eCollection 2022.
Melatonin (-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is an emerging biomolecule that influences horticultural crop growth, flowering, fruit ripening, postharvest preservation, and stress protection. It functions as a plant growth regulator, preservative and antimicrobial agent to promote seed germination, regulate root system architecture, influence flowering and pollen germination, promote fruit production, ensure postharvest preservation, and increase resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Here, we highlight the potential applications of melatonin in multiple aspects of horticulture, including molecular breeding, vegetative reproduction, production of virus-free plants, food safety, and horticultural crop processing. We also discuss its effects on parthenocarpy, autophagy, and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. Together, these many features contribute to the promise of melatonin for improving horticultural crop production and food safety. Effective translation of melatonin to the horticultural industry requires an understanding of the challenges associated with its uses, including the development of economically viable sources.
褪黑素（N-乙酰-5-甲氧基色胺）是一种新兴的生物分子，它影响园艺作物的生长、开花、果实成熟、采后保鲜及应激保护。它作为一种植物生长调节剂、防腐剂和抗菌剂，可促进种子萌发、调节根系结构、影响开花和花粉萌发、促进果实产量、确保采后保鲜，并增强对非生物和生物胁迫的抗性。在此，我们着重介绍褪黑素在园艺多个方面的潜在应用，包括分子育种、营养繁殖、脱毒苗生产、食品安全及园艺作物加工。我们还讨论了其对单性结实、自噬和丛枝菌根共生的影响。这些众多特性共同促成了褪黑素在改善园艺作物生产和食品安全方面的前景。要将褪黑素有效应用于园艺产业，需要了解其使用相关的挑战，包括开发经济可行的来源。
