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

The aim of this work was to eval uate 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 degrees 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 degrees C. During the 24 h long gaseous 1-MCP treatment, the control group was kept at 5 degrees C. After treatment, all samples were stored at ambient temperature (20 degrees 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.