Ultraviolet-to-Blue Light Conversion Film Affects Both Leaf Photosynthetic Traits and Fruit Bioactive Compound Accumulation in Fragaria × ananassa

Abstract

The influence of light downconversion films (red, pink and blue films) on leaf physiological features and fruit bioactive compound accumulation was studied in strawberry plants. Red, pink and blue films were able to convert light less utilised by plants into more efficient light wavebands with various possibilities depending on the film characteristics (blue film shifts UV into blue radiation; red film shifts green into red radiation, pink film shifts UV and green into blue and red radiation but to a lesser extent than red film). Indeed, by enhancing the quality of light available for photosynthesis, the utilization of these films holds the potential to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability. All of these light downconversion films resulted in higher plant fresh weight compared to a control colourless (Cnt) film, with plants grown under blue film (UV-to-blue light conversion) showing the most impressive results in terms of total leaf area (+25%), leaf thickness (+10%) and leaf mass per area (+15%). Simultaneously, during the flowering stage, plants under blue film had a higher net photosynthetic rate due to the increase in photosynthetically efficient wavelengths. Moreover, blue film resulted in the highest total phenolic (+40% and +28% than red and pink films, respectively) and flavonoid content (+54%, +84%, +70% than Cnt, red and pink films, respectively) in fruit, with specific effects on targeted phenols, i.e., quercetin, ellagic acid and its glycoside, ellagitannins, and procyanidins. In conclusion, the use of the UV-to-blue conversion light film tested herein represents an innovative solution to increase strawberry yield and promote fruit nutraceutical features, playing a pivotal role in ensuring food quality and security and sustainable agricultural practices.