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Instrumental and sensory analyses of quality attributes of grafted specialty melons
Author(s) -
Guan Wenjing,
Zhao Xin,
Huber Donald J,
Sims Charles A
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.7050
Subject(s) - rootstock , melon , cucurbita moschata , cucumis , cucurbita maxima , squash , biology , cucurbita , horticulture , grafting , agronomy , chemistry , medicine , alternative medicine , organic chemistry , pathology , polymer
BACKGROUND Soilborne disease management remains a great challenge in melon production with the phaseout of soil fumigant methyl bromide. Grafting has been shown to be an effective approach to control soilborne diseases. However, previous research has yielded mixed results regarding the impacts of rootstock on fruit quality. Very few studies have assessed melon quality attributes using both sensory evaluation and instrumental methods. RESULTS Galia melon ‘Arava’ ( Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus Ser.) and honeydew melon ‘Honey Yellow’ ( C. melo L. var. inodorus Naud.) were grafted onto commercial hybrid squash ( Cucurbita maxima Duchesne × Cucurbita moschata Duchesne) rootstocks and root‐knot nematode‐resistant Cucumis metulifer E. Mey. ex Naud. rootstock. The grafting combinations were evaluated under different production conditions. Grafting with hybrid squash rootstocks resulted in reduced soluble solids content ( SSC ) and decreased sensory ratings of ‘Arava’ fruit. By contrast with grafted ‘Arava’, grafted ‘Honey Yellow’ did not exhibit significant differences in sensory properties and instrumental measurements regardless of production conditions and rootstock selection. CONCLUSION The effects of grafting on fruit quality attributes differed between the two distinctive types of melon scion used. Potential negative impacts of rootstocks on melon fruit quality need to be considered in the selection and use of disease‐resistant rootstocks. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry