The pulp softening, development of stalk abscission layer, respiratory behavior, ethylene production and postharvest quality of Galia 'Solar King' muskmelon were evaluated when submitted to modified atmosphere (MA) and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) during storage at 7.6 ± 1.1ºC and 87.6 ± 6.3% RH followed by ambient temperature (24.2 ± 0.7ºC and 88.1 ± 5.4% RH). Fruits from Mossoró-Assu Region, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil, were submitted to postharvest treatments [control, MA (X-TendTM), 1-MCP (300 nl L-1) and MA (X-TendTM) followed by 1-MCP (300 nl L-1)] and storage periods (0, 7, 14, 21, 24, 27 and 30 days). The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 4x7 factorial arrangement with four replications. At 23 days, the respiratory activity of fruits treated with 1-MCP was lower than the others, keeping the values almost steady from the 25th to the 30th day. The treatments with MA or 1-MCP resulted in lower and anticipated peaks of ethylene production. Fruits under MA, treated or not with 1-MCP, presented reduced weight lost. The association MA+1-MCP presented more advantages with firmer fruits. The most pronounced effect of 1-MCP application was a delay on the stalk abscission layer. The best internal appearance was observed on fruits treated with 1-MCP or under MA+1-MCP application. This association permitted a better preservation of the quality of muskmelons.
Cucumis melo var cantaloupensis; stalk abscission layer; respiratory behavior; firmness; magnetic ressonance image
