Evolution of watermelon fruit physicochemical and phytochemical composition during ripening as affected by grafting
2014
Soteriou, G.A. | Kyriacou, M.C. | Siomos, A.S. | Gerasopoulos, D.
Flesh reflectance colorimetry, mechanical texture analysis, pH, titratable acidity (TA), and soluble solid (SS), soluble carbohydrate, lycopene and citrulline content of watermelon fruit were assessed throughout ripening (30–50days post-anthesis; dpa) in grafted and self-rooted plants. Grafting increased firmness, TA, and lycopene content though it delayed its peak. Lycopene content was mostly ripening-dependant, highly correlated and synchronous with changes in pulp chroma (C∗) and colour a∗. The sweetness was affected only by ripening. However, total sugars and SS peaked later in fruit of grafted plants than in non-grafted ones, and significant interaction of ripening with grafting was observed. Citrulline content increased with ripening in fruit of grafted plants, reaching a peak at 45dpa; whereas in non-grafted ones it was unchanged between 30 and 45dpa and declined at 50dpa. As ripening overall was retarded by grafting, fruit quality of grafted watermelon may benefit from belated harvest.
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