Harper-type melon hybrids have higher quality and longer post-harvest life than commercial hybrids

In the Comarca Lagunera, the melon is considered the most important vegetable crop, so there is interest in venturing into new export markets for which various ways of preserving the fruit have been investigated. The new Harper-type melon hybrids have higher fruit quality, longer post-harvest life and higher yields than commercial ones. The objective of this work was to identify new Harper-type melon hybrids with longer post-harvest life to reach distant markets. Three Harper-type melon hybrids (King RZ, Queen RZ, Alaniz Gold) were evaluated against a control of the region (Cruiser F1). The experiment was carried out in Matamoros, Coahuila, Mexico, under a randomized block design. The post-harvest life of the fruits stored at 18 °C was evaluated at 10, 20 and 30 days, from the weight loss percentage and the speed factor thereof. There was no significant difference in fruit weight and yield. Queen RZ and King RZ hybrids had the highest total soluble solids values at the time of harvest (13.62 and 13.42 °Brix, respectively) and 30 days post-harvest (10.25 and 10.44 °Brix, respectively) (P ≤ 0.05). Both were marketable after 30 days of storage, sufficient to reach distant markets.