Cultivation System Modulates Raspberry Bioactive Compounds and Fruit Quality

This study evaluated the effects of three cultivation systems—open-field, tunnel-soil, and tunnel-pot—on fruit quality, bioactive compounds, and mineral composition in raspberries ( Rubus idaeus L. ‘Vajolet’) over six harvest dates. Open-field cultivation promoted the highest quality, with total soluble solids up to 12% higher at early harvest and resulted in berries with significantly elevated anthocyanin (+ 35%) and ascorbic acid (+ 22%) contents, reflecting enhanced antioxidant potential under higher light exposure. In contrast, tunnel-pot cultivation increased average fruit weight by approximately 28% compared to open-field, while also elevating magnesium and manganese concentrations, favoring fruit firmness and storability. Tunnel-soil berries exhibited highest titratable acidity mid-season, suggesting suitability for processing. Principal component analysis revealed distinct multivariate quality profiles for each system, confirming that cultivation environment simultaneously alters sugar accumulation, acidity, pigment biosynthesis, and mineral nutrient uptake. These findings demonstrate that protected cultivation systems allow targeted modulation of raspberry composition to match specific market and processing demands, optimizing both product quality and production efficiency.