Configuration of watermelon fruit quality in response to rootstock‐mediated harvest maturity and postharvest storage
2016
Kyriacou, Marios C | Soteriou, Georgios A | Rouphael, Youssef | Siomos, Anastasios S | Gerasopoulos, Dimitrios
BACKGROUND: The configuration of watermelon fruit quality was analysed in a multi‐factorial approach accounting for the effects of grafting, harvest maturity and postharvest storage. Diploid, seeded, hybrid cv. Pegasus, cultivated as scion on interspecific hybrid squash rootstock TZ148 and as non‐grafted control, was stored at 25 °C following sequential harvests from the onset of ripening to over‐maturity. RESULTS: Delayed rootstock‐mediated climax in pulp lycopene and chroma was observed, while both were heightened by postharvest storage when harvest preceded full maturity. Pulp firmness was increased by 46.5% on TZ148, while postharvest decrease in firmness was non‐significant. Non‐grafted fruits attained their peak in pulp carbohydrate content earlier during ripening. Monosaccharide content declined and sucrose content increased both preharvest and postharvest; overall sugar content declined by 4.3% during storage. Pulp acidity decreased steadily with ripening but was moderately increased by grafting. Citrulline content increased by 12.5% on TZ148; moreover, it climaxed with ripening and declined with storage only in grafted fruit. CONCLUSION: Grafting enhances pulp texture and bioactive composition. Potential suppression of sugar content as a result of grafting is minimized at full commercial maturity. Brief postharvest ambient storage enhances pulp lycopene and chroma, especially in early‐picked fruit, notwithstanding the depletion of monosaccharides and citrulline and a limited deterioration of texture. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
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