Quality and Postharvest Performance of Watermelon Fruit in Response to Grafting on Interspecific Cucurbit Rootstocks

摘要: Grafting on disease-resistant rootstocks is a growing practice in watermelon cultivation worldwide. Reports effects of grafting fruit postharvest performance are scarce. The current work examined at 25C four diploid cultivars grown nongrafted or grafted onto three Cucurbita maxima × C. moschata rootstocks. Despite sucrose accumulation throughout storage the expense fructose and glucose, total soluble carbohydrates solids content declined. Lycopene peaked 7 days intensity flesh color increased concomitantly; yellowing was detected 14 days. Rootstocks reduced only second year experiments by 0.8–1.0°Brix. improved firmness lycopene enhanced color. Rind minimally thickened declined with storage. interspecific quality storability. Potential reduction response to limited not detrimental quality. Practical Applications Grafting rootstock has become an imperative for intensive production since chlorofluorocarbon-based soil fumigants were banned from use. Accordingly, most information derives selection studies emphasis disease resistance field performance. However, impaired quality, notably low firmness, constitutes common problem commercial summer crop field-cultivated blame commonly placed grafting. Moreover, watermelons worldwide handled under adverse nonrefrigerated conditions. There remains, however, paucity main objective this assess impact cucurbit hybrid rootstocks, which constitute major class watermelon. results could be applicable improve handling fruit.