Effects of rootstocks on storage and shelf life of grafted watermelons

ÖZDEMİR A. E., Çandir E., YETİŞİR H., Aras V., Arslan Ö., Baltaer Ö., ...Daha Fazla

Journal of Applied Botany and Food Quality, cilt.89, ss.191-201, 2016 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

Özet

Watermelon fruits from non-grafted or grafted 'Crimson Tide' (CT) and 'Crisby' (CR) onto Ferro, RS841, Argentario and Macis rootstocks were compared for their postharvest quality during storage at 7 °C for 21 days and additional 7 days at 21 °C. Non-grafted and grafted CT and CR fruits did not exhibit chilling injury (CI) symptoms, but the 1-2% of fungal decay occurred after shelf life period following storage. Watermelons grafted on Ferro and RS841 rootstocks had higher flesh firmness thicker rind, lower ripening rating, more intense (higher C∗) brighter red (lower h° value) color and higher lycopene content after shelf life period following storage, compared to non-grafted fruits. All of the fruit tested by the panelists received high taste scores of >7.9 out of 8.5 at the beginning, but the scores decreased to >6.8 out of 7.7 at the end of shelf life period. Watermelons could successfully be kept for 21 days at 7 °C and additional 7 days at 21 °C. Watermelons grafted on Ferro and RS841 rootstocks had higher postharvest quality, compared to the non-grafted fruits for both cultivars.