Effect of nitrogen fertilization levels on melon fruit quality at the harvest time and during storage
Articolo
Data di Pubblicazione:
2008
Citazione:
Effect of nitrogen fertilization levels on melon fruit quality at the harvest time and during storage / A. Ferrante, A. Spinardi, T.M. Maggiore, A. Testoni, P. Marino Gallina. - In: JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE. - ISSN 0022-5142. - 88:4(2008), pp. 707-713.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: The quality ofmelon fruit depends uponmany factors that can be affected by growing conditions
and post-harvest management. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of nitrogen fertilisation levels on
the fruit quality at harvest time and during storage. Experiments were performed in an open field using melon
plants (Cucumis melo L. Var. Reticulatus cv. Prodigio). The nitrogen (N) was applied through fertigation using
four fertilisation levels: 0, 55, 110 and 165 kg ha−1
. After harvest the fruits were stored at 10 ◦
Cfor8days.Atharvest
time the yield, flesh firmness, skin and pulp colours, content of carotenoids, total phenols, ascorbic acid (AsA)
and ethylene production were measured on fruits differently fertilised.
RESULTS: The totalmarketable fruit yield and fruit nitrogen content linearly increased with N levels. Antioxidant
compounds decreased after storage but were not affected by N fertilisation levels. However, total carotenoids, total
phenols, and AsA declined during storage.
CONCLUSION: All the quality parameters did not appear to be affected by N level at either harvest time or after
storage. Therefore it is advisable to reduce nitrogen input for cultivation without compromising quality and yields.
Tipologia IRIS:
01 - Articolo su periodico
Keywords:
ascorbic acid ; ethylene ; firmness ; phenols ; sugar
Elenco autori:
A. Ferrante, A. Spinardi, T.M. Maggiore, A. Testoni, P. Marino Gallina
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