Fruit Quality of Seedless Watermelon Cultivars Grafted onto an Interspecific Hybrid Squash Rootstock

摘要

This study was conducted to determine the effects of the squash rootstock 'Super Shintosa' (Cucurbita maxima x C. moschata) on seedless watermelon fruit quality using both instrumental and sensory measurements. Two watermelon cultivars, 'Melody' and 'Petite Perfection', were included in an on-farm trial during Spring 2015, while only 'Melody' was evaluated in an on-station trial during Fall 2015. During the peak harvest, fully ripe watermelons were randomly selected for fruit quality assessment. Instrumental measurements included flesh firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, and lycopene content (fall only). Consumer sensory analysis was used to evaluate overall acceptability, flavor, and firmness (or texture). Grafting with 'Super Shintosa' increased 'Melody' flesh firmness in both trials and improved lycopene content, but did not affect other fruit quality attributes. Results from the sensory evaluation did not show significant differences between grafted and non-grafted watermelons. In the case of 'Petite Perfection', sensory evaluation showed a higher firmness liking score in the fruit of 'Petite Perfection' from grafted plants than that of the non-grafted control, while the instrumental measurements showed no differences. Overall, grafting with 'Super Shintosa' did not negatively impact watermelon fruit quality.