Melatonin–nitric oxide crosstalk enhances postharvest chilling tolerance in mango: Physiological, biochemical, and transcriptional evidence for activation of antioxidant defense and cold-responsive genes

Key Points

• Chilling tolerance is improved through the crosstalk of melatonin and nitric oxide, indicating a successful response to cold stress.
• The study highlights a significant activation of antioxidant defense pathways, with key biochemical markers identified in mangoes exposed to cold.
• Observational methods demonstrated increases in cold-responsive gene expression, confirming physiological changes in response to chilling.
• Melatonin-nitric oxide crosstalk may enable better postharvest preservation, yet further research on its practical applications is needed.