title: Influence of phosphorus management on melon (Cucumis melo L.) fruit quality.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  At harvest time, melon quality is related to internal and external parameters, which are very important for consumer attractiveness and marketable yield. Several agronomic factors can affect the quality of melon fruits and among them mineral availability may play a significant role. Therefore the aim of the work was to investigate the effect of phosphorus fertigation on melon fruit (Cucumis melo L.) qualitative characteristics, such as fruit size and yield, pulp colour and firmness, aroma and taste, as well as the accumulation of bioactive antioxidant compounds, namely phenols and carotenoids, and their antiradical properties.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results allowed us to extrapolate the optimal P doses to be used for melon fertigation, to achieve high yield and fruit quality characteristics. Modelling the optimal P dose allowed us to maximize yield and resulted in around 257 kg P2 O5 ha(-1) , even if the quality indices relating to carotenoid content, texture and colour of the melon flesh were not significantly different between samples fertigated with the two highest levels tested.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It can be assumed that the level of 200 kg P2 O5 ha(-1) would be a good compromise between optimization of agronomic performance and melon fruit quality. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors: Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64023, Mosciano S, Angelo (TE), Italy.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Martuscelli
authors: Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64023, Mosciano S, Angelo (TE), Italy.
authors: Carla
authors: C
authors: Di Mattia
authors: Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64023, Mosciano S, Angelo (TE), Italy.
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Stagnari
authors: Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64023, Mosciano S, Angelo (TE), Italy.
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Speca
authors: Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64023, Mosciano S, Angelo (TE), Italy.
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Pisante
authors: Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64023, Mosciano S, Angelo (TE), Italy.
authors: Dino
authors: D
authors: Mastrocola
mesh_terms: D019662:Cucurbitaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D005504:Food Analysis; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010758:Phosphorus
keywords: Cucumis melo; carotenoids; melon fruit quality; polyphenols; yield