title: Configuration of watermelon fruit quality in response to rootstock-mediated harvest maturity and postharvest storage.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Postharvest Technology Laboratory, Agricultural Research Institute, PO Box 22016, 1516, Nicosia, Cyprus.
authors.forename: Marios C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Kyriacou
authors.affiliation: Postharvest Technology Laboratory, Agricultural Research Institute, PO Box 22016, 1516, Nicosia, Cyprus.
authors.forename: Georgios A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Soteriou
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università 100, 80055, Portici, Italy.
authors.forename: Youssef
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rouphael
authors.affiliation: Aristotle University, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Anastasios S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Siomos
authors.affiliation: Aristotle University, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gerasopoulos
mesh_terms: D029773:Citrullus / Q000737:chemistry*; D063427:Food Quality; D061353:Food Storage; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D018517:Plant Roots; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Citrullus lanatus; chroma; citrulline; grafting; lycopene; storage