RESUMEN

There is an increasing demand for sweet melon (Cucumis melo L.) fruit in fruit and vegetable markets due to its nutritional content, resulting in different cultivars being grown in different production systems. This study evaluated the nutritional and phytochemical contents of soilless-grown cantaloupe and honeydew sweet melon cultivars at harvest and postharvest. At harvest, vitamin C and ß-carotene concentrations were higher in orange-fleshed (cantaloupe) cvs. Magritte, Divine, Majestic, Cyclone, MAB 79001, E25F.00185, E25F.00075 and Adore, compared to green-fleshed (honeydew) cvs. Honey Brew and Honey Star. The zinc (Zn), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) contents were higher in orange-fleshed compared to green-fleshed cultivars. Total phenolics content (TPC) in cv. E25F.00075 was the highest (2.87 mg GAE∙g-1 dry weight). A significant, positive, correlation occurred between ß-carotene and Zn, P, K, Ca and Mg contents. Postharvest storage duration affected TPC and total soluble solid content. The interaction of cultivar and postharvest storage duration affected flavonoid, vitamin C and ß-carotene contents, free radical scavenging activity and fruit juice pH. Vitamin C and ß-carotene contents decreased with increased postharvest storage duration while flavonoid content increased. The cantaloupe cultivars performed significantly better compared to the honeydew cultivars as evident in their high mineral element content, and vitamin C and ß-carotene concentrations. Selection of appropriate cultivars in a production system should consider variation in nutritional traits of cultivars and postharvest storage duration. Soilless production of sweet melon cultivars in tunnels offers a viable alternative to open field to produce high-quality melons at harvest and postharvest.

RESUMEN

Two rootstock crosses of sweet melon and watermelon (Cucurbita moschata × Cucurbita maxima hybrids), 'Kickstart' and 'Carnivor', grafted onto four melon cultivars (cantaloups; 'Majestic', 'Hunter', 'Honeygoal' and 'Honeyval') were evaluated for quality, phytonutrient composition and volatile compounds in the 2020 and 2021 growing season at two harvests. Grafted fruits showed higher SSC/TA ratio, and antioxidant scavenging activity. Grafted 'Majestic/Carnivor' and 'Honeyval/ Carnivor' melons significantly increased the ascorbic acid content than the controls. 'Majestic/Carnivor' melons showed the highest ß- carotene and lutein than the controls. PLS-DA score plots discriminated the grafted cantaloupes and honeydew melons from controls based on the concentration of volatile compounds. Hexyl acetate and hexadecane respectively discriminated the grafted cantaloups and honeydew melons from ungrafted fruits. 'Carnivor' rootstocks showed higher expression of volatiles in the grafted cantaloupes and honeydew melons in the heat map. Panellists preferred Majestic/Carnivor' and 'Honeyval/ Carnivor' melons.

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RESUMEN

This study reports the whole-genome sequence of Bacillus cereus HRT7.7, an epiphyte isolated from red sweet pepper fruits that is capable of stimulating plant growth and development. The genome assembly is 5,109,010 bp in length, with a G+C content of 35.2%.

RESUMEN

Paenibacillus polymyxa SRT9.1 is an epiphytic bacterium capable of inhibiting plant-pathogenic bacteria. The strain has potential for development as a biocontrol agent for use in agriculture. We report the whole-genome sequence of Paenibacillus polymyxa SRT9.1, consisting of 6,754,470 bp and 7,878 coding sequences, with an average G+C content of 45%.