Storage and Transport Technology of Hami Melon at Ambient Temperature

The research objective is to reduce expensive costs on storage and transport at low temperature and large loss at ambient temperature of Xinjiang Hami melon. The main pathogenic fungi, Rhizopus.stolonifer, Alternaia alternata, Fusarium semitectum, Penicillium digitatum were identified by potato sucrose culture medium. Effective fungicides and their optimum application were assessed. Weight loss, respiration intensity(RI), and the activities of catalase(CAT), cellulase, pectinesterase(PE), polygalacturonase(PG) of Hami melon were measured during storage at normal atmospheric temperature. The use of shellac coat for physiological activities of postharvest Hami melon was evaluated. The melon was soaked in the solution with 0.6 g/L Iprodione, 0.8 g/L Botran, 0.6 g/L Thiabendazole, 0.8 g/L Sporgon and 1∶24(V/V) shellac for 10 s. The rotting rate was 1.87% after 30 day storage at 28℃ and 85% RH, compared with 49.54% of control. After 12～15 d during transport by freight train from Hami in Xinjiang to Suzhou, Shanghai and Guangzhou at 28～34℃ outside and 30～38℃ inside the train, the rotting rates for the treated melon were 3.37%, 4.12% and 4.86%, respectively. The fungicide residues in a depth of 0.8 cm of the peel were almost not detected. Application of fungicides in combination with shellac reduced markedly the rotting rate during transport at ambient temperature, with a delicious flavor.