A possible alternative to the use of agrochemicals for soil disinfestations in Cucurbitaceae cultivation is the use of grafted plants. The increasing consumer attention for high quality vegetable crops makes necessary to carefully select rootstocks/scion combinations capable of ensuring also a high quality fruits. In this regards the research aimed to the evaluation of the effects of different rootstocks, selected for their resistance to diseases, on the quality of different varieties of melon and watermelon fruits. The plants were cultivated under greenhouse conditions in Pachino (Syracuse, Italy) which is situated in the south-east corner of the Sicily island. To define the fruit quality, we evaluated the effect of the selected rootstocks on plant productivity, physico-chemical and microbiological parameters, sensory characteristics, carotenoid content and volatile aroma profile. All the data were elaborated statistically in order to identify the most appropriate rootstock. Chemical, instrumental and sensory data were correlated each other. The data evidenced that some rootstocks, easily available on the market, can be successfully used for controlling soil pathogens without determining relevant changes on Cucurbitaceae fruity quality. The research also emphasized the importance of a global approach in fruit quality determination and the usefulness of sensory analysis which plays an important role in consumer’s satisfaction.
GRAFTING IN CUCURBITACEAE: A GLOBAL APPROACH FOR THE FRUIT QUALITY DETERMINATION
RESTUCCIA, Cristina;ROMANO, Daniela Maura Maria;
2013-01-01
Abstract
A possible alternative to the use of agrochemicals for soil disinfestations in Cucurbitaceae cultivation is the use of grafted plants. The increasing consumer attention for high quality vegetable crops makes necessary to carefully select rootstocks/scion combinations capable of ensuring also a high quality fruits. In this regards the research aimed to the evaluation of the effects of different rootstocks, selected for their resistance to diseases, on the quality of different varieties of melon and watermelon fruits. The plants were cultivated under greenhouse conditions in Pachino (Syracuse, Italy) which is situated in the south-east corner of the Sicily island. To define the fruit quality, we evaluated the effect of the selected rootstocks on plant productivity, physico-chemical and microbiological parameters, sensory characteristics, carotenoid content and volatile aroma profile. All the data were elaborated statistically in order to identify the most appropriate rootstock. Chemical, instrumental and sensory data were correlated each other. The data evidenced that some rootstocks, easily available on the market, can be successfully used for controlling soil pathogens without determining relevant changes on Cucurbitaceae fruity quality. The research also emphasized the importance of a global approach in fruit quality determination and the usefulness of sensory analysis which plays an important role in consumer’s satisfaction.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
