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The effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and chlorine dioxide (ClO(2)) on fruit quality during storage was investigated. Strawberries were treated with 1-MCP alone or in combination with ClO(2) gas generated by a releasing agent, and the quality, fruit decay, microbial inhibition, and enzyme activities [polyphenol oxidase (PPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL)] at 4 °C were measured for 16 days. 1-MCP alone could maintain the fruit quality during storage but had little effect on microbial growth, resulting in quick decay during storage. ClO(2) treatment effectively inhibited microbial growth during storage and improved shelf life with no visual damage. Moreover, 1-MCP in combination with ClO(2) was superior in maintaining quality attributes as compared with 1-MCP alone, as significant differences were found in some indices. Furthermore, 1-MCP in combination with ClO(2) maintained higher SOD, APX, and PAL activities and lower PPO activity as compared with the control and 1-MCP alone. Overall, ClO(2) enhanced the effect of 1-MCP on strawberries during storage and shelf life, possibly through the inhibition of microbial growth and regulation of enzyme activity. The combination of 1-MCP and ClO(2) may serve as a potential strategy with dual physiological and antimicrobial effects for the preservation of perishable products. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s13197-018-3114-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.