Time of transplanting and crop management affects the postharvest quality of melon fruits

Clara Alana Rocha Santos Góis, Rui Sales Junior, José Dárcio Abrantes Sarmento, Patrícia Lígia Dantas de Morais, Marlenildo Ferr

Abstract: Melon (Cucumis melo L. cv Goldex) was cultivated using different ages of seedlings (0, 6, 8, 10 and 12 days after sowing), soil mulching, nonwoven fabric (TNT) barrier against pests, and without mulching and TNT as control, in the Brazilian semiarid.Then, the postharvest quality of fruits was evaluated. Results showed that 8 or 10-day-old seedlings provided fruit with the highest pulp firmness, soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio and lower transverse length. In its turn, the use of soil mulching and nonwoven fabric provided fruits with higher fresh weight and longitudinal length, and lower pulp firmness than control. Such characteristics are desirable for melon exportation. In conclusion, in addition to protecting plants against pest and weeds and to improving soil conditioning and plant growth, the use of mulching, nonwoven barrier, and older seedlings improved the postharvest quality of melon fruits.

Keywords: Cucumis melo L.; cucurbit fruits; food quality; nonwoven fabric; soil management; transplanting

Date published: 2020-06-29