Influence of Phosphorus management on melon fruit (Cucumis melo l.) colour and other qualitative characteristics

In melon (Cucumis melo L.) the correct P management has a significant influence for achieving high yield and quality levels, which are an essential prerequisite for economical success of the crop. Experiments regarding P nutrition of melon crop in Mediterranean areas are very lacking and very few authors have investigated specifically on the influence of P fertilization to melon fruit quality, defined by internal and external parameters (rind colour, aroma, taste, size and firmness) that are very important for consumer attractiveness.The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of phosphorus fertigation on melon fruit quality at harvest time. One experiment was carried out in open field in central Italy in two years (2010 and 2011), using melon plants (Var. Reticulatus, cv. Expò). Control and increasing rates of phosphorus were applied in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Physical, chemical and sensorial analyses were carried out to characterize the fruit quality along with functional parameters such as total polyphenols and carotenoids contents and antiradical activity. Only the highest dose of phosphorus had effect on yield. However, several quality factors, such as sensorial parameters (colour, attractiveness), mineral concentration, sugar content, acidity, were significantly affected by phosphorus nutrition. Phosphorus supplementation resulted to positively affect the content in total carotenoids whilst no significant influence occurred in the content of phenolic compounds. The results of this study provide important practical information about the phosphorus fertilization in order to improve the quality of melon fruits both at harvest time and probably during storage (future prospects of research).[...]