Evaluation of objective maturity indices for muskmelon cucumis melo cv. Galia

Abstract EN

Muskmelon (Cucumis melo) cv.

"Galia" was studied to determine optimum harvest maturity index for export from Sudan, as importers require persistent stem-end attachment to the fruits.

Ground colour of harvested melons was related to stem-end attachment.

A sample of 4 fruits each at different maturity stages of all green, 25 %, 50 %, 75 %.

And 100 % brown were selected Maturity was evaluated based on slipping, force needed to detach slip from the melon, distance between net strands, net toughness, cavity size and edible length and soluble solids concentrations (SSC).

The 50 % color intensity was found to be an appropriate maturity index.

At this colour, the melons were at the half-slip stage with persistent stem-end, which is acceptable to importers.

The melons had high externals qualities of netting, net toughness, and cavity and edible size and best internal quality in terms of SSC.

Fruits harvested post the 50% colour reached advanced stages of maturity and had poor stem-end attachment, thereby not meeting importers requirements.

These fruits had excellent qualities but were only suitable for local markets.