Comparison of 1-MCP treatment on four melon cultivars using different temperatures

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment on muskmelons (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulates Naudin) using different temperatures during the treatments. Three application temperatures (5, 10 and 20 °C) and four melon cultivars (‘Centro’, ‘Lillo’, ‘Donatello’ and ‘Celestial’) were investigated. Three groups of each cultivar were treated with 625-650 nL L-1 gaseous 1-MCP for 24 h at 5, 10 and 20 °C. During the 24 h long gaseous 1-MCP treatment, the control group was kept at 5 °C. After treatment, all samples were stored at ambient temperature (20 °C) for 10 d. The results showed that 1-MCP treated melons released less ethylene and CO2 compared to controls. Moreover, 1-MCP application could slow the softening as well as the color change of melon throughout shelf-life in comparison to controls. No significant differences were observed among 1-MCP treatment temperatures for four melon cultivars. 1-MCP did not reduce disease severity of treated melons.