ABSTRACT
Prompt cooling of melons is highly desirable since it retards the breakdown of sugars (4). For netted melons the optimal temperature for storage and carriage is approximately 5°C, with high humidity (or a plastic film wrap) to minimise moisture loss (4). Under such conditions they will keep for up to 2 weeks. Winter melons may need to be stored at 7° to 10° C. An exception is Honey Dew melons which have had the benefit of ethylene treatment; they show reduced susceptibility to chilling injury and can be held at 5°C. Some melon cultivars benefit from storage in controlled atmosphere, a 20% concentration of carbon dioxide being inhibitory to mould growth (8). This technique offers an alternative to the use of post-harvest fungicides. Common causes of deterioration in melons are fungal and bacterial blemishes and rots (1,5,6,8,10). For a detailed classical study of storage diseases of melons, see reference 10.
