title: Instrumental and sensory analyses of quality attributes of grafted specialty melons.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
authors.forename: Wenjing
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.affiliation: Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
authors.forename: Donald J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.affiliation: Food Science and Human Nutrition Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Sims
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods*; D028462:Cucumis; D028463:Cucumis melo; D028464:Cucurbita; D019662:Cucurbitaceae / Q000235:genetics; D060467:Disease Resistance; D005638:Fruit / Q000592:standards; D006244:Hardness; D006801:Humans; D010935:Plant Diseases; D018517:Plant Roots; D012987:Soil; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013045:Species Specificity; D013649:Taste
chemical_list: D012987:Soil
keywords: Cucumis melo L; acceptance testing; firmness; hedonic; rootstock; soluble solids content