The role, regulation and application of plant fruit trichomes

Abstract

Trichomes, hair-like specialized epidermal structures on the surface of most plant organs, play key roles in plant defense against herbivores, reducing water loss, and shielding plants from UV radiation, among other functions. Controlling trichome development and the biosynthesis of trichome-derived specialized metabolites is a common defensive strategy adopted by plants to protect themselves from environmental stresses. However, trichomes exhibit distinctive functions in different plant tissues. Fruits, being the most economically valuable organs of many horticultural plants, often have trichomes on their surface. Nevertheless, there is a notable lack of research on the regulation and function of fruit trichomes, in comparison to the extensive studies conducted on trichomes in other plant tissues. Further investigation is needed to elucidate the specific functions of fruit trichomes. The regulation of plant trichome development and the multiple roles of trichomes represent a dynamic area of plant biology with significant implications for agriculture and biotechnology. This review aims to enhance the understanding of the functions, regulatory mechanisms, and applications of fruit trichomes, emphasizing their importance in advancing agricultural sustainability and productivity.

Keywords: Fruit trichome; Post-harvest; Transcription factor; Water loss.

Fig. 1

The regulatory models of fruit trichome initiation and development in tomato and cucumber. Dotted line, indirect interaction; continuous line, direct interaction

Fig. 2

Fruit trichomes in tomato, cucumber, peach, kiwifruit, Roxburgh, and plane tress. Fruit trichomes impact various aspects of fruit maintenance, including fruit water loss, fruit quality, appearance, production process, customer preference, environmental pollution, allergies, microorganism invasion, and postharvest decay