Production System Influences Postharvest Physiology and Phytonutritional Quality of Cauliflower Cultivars During Refrigerated Storage

Despite the increasing adoption of soilless cultivation systems, little is known about how the gravel flow technique (GFT) influences postharvest quality, phytonutritional composition, and shelf life of cauliflower compared with conventional soil cultivation, and how these effects interact with cultivar genotype. Therefore, this study evaluated the influence of production system (soil cultivation vs. GFT), cultivar, and storage duration on the postharvest physiology, quality, and phytonutritional attributes of three cauliflower cultivars (‘Macerata’, ‘Sicilian Violet’, and ‘Snowball’) stored at 4 °C for 8 days. Significant production system × cultivar × storage interactions affected physiological, biochemical, and sensory characteristics. Soil-grown curds maintained higher O2 and lower CO2 concentrations, indicating lower respiration rates and slower deterioration than GFT-grown curds. ‘Snowball’ exhibited the highest weight loss and respiratory activity, whereas ‘Sicilian Violet’ showed the lowest weight loss. Soil cultivation enhanced the retention of phenolics, glucosinolates, pigments, and antioxidant activity. After 8 days, soil-grown ‘Sicilian Violet’ exhibited the highest total phenolic content (55.25 mg GAE g−1 DW) and antioxidant capacity, while the highest glucosinolate concentration was recorded in soil-grown ‘Macerata’ (48.23 µmol g−1 DW on day 6). ‘Macerata’ maintained the highest chlorophyll and β-carotene contents throughout storage, whereas ‘Sicilian Violet’ showed superior anthocyanin retention and antioxidant capacity. Although sensory quality declined during storage, soil-grown curds retained better quality and lower browning than GFT-grown curds. Overall, soil cultivation improved postharvest quality and nutraceutical value, highlighting the importance of integrating cultivar selection with production practices to optimise shelf life and nutritional quality.