Chilling Injury of ‘Honey Dew’ Muskmelons: Symptoms and Relation to Degree of Ripeness at Harvest1

Abstract

Abstract Chilling injury (CI) of ‘Honey Dew’ muskmelons ( Cucumis melo L.) induced by 2½ weeks of storage at 0 or 2.5°C is characterized by a reddish-tan discoloration of the surface. Affected areas may be diffuse or discrete. CI was less severe at 2.5° than at 0°C and was absent at 5°C. The diffuse type of discoloration disappeared during 3 days at 20°C, particularly if the melons had reached full rather than only minimum horticultural maturity at harvest. Melons of minimum maturity accounted for 44% of the samples, but for 77% of those with CI.