Evaluation of Objective Maturity Indices for Muskmelon (Cucumis melo) cv.Galia

Muskmelon (Cucumis melo) cv. Galia was studied todetermine optimum harvest maturity index for export from Sudan, asimporters require persistent stem-end attachment to the fruits. Groundcolour of harvested melons was related to stem-end attachment. Asample of 4 fruits each at different maturity stages of all green, 25%,50%, 75%, and 100% brown were selected.Maturity was evaluated based on slipping, force needed todetach slip from the melon, distance between net strands, nettoughness, cavity size and edible length and soluble solidsconcentrations (SSC).The 50% colour intensity was found to be an appropriatematurity index. At this colour, the melons were at the half-slip stagewith persistent stem-end, which is acceptable to importers. Themelons had high externals qualities of netting, net toughness, andcavity and edible size and best internal quality in terms of SSC.Fruits harvested post the 50% colour reached advanced stages ofmaturity and had poor stem-end attachment, thereby not meetingimporters requirements. These fruits had excellent qualities but wereonly suitable for local markets.