Effect of different irrigation regims on quality and shelf life of half fresh cut watermelon (Citrullus lunatus cv. Crimson Sweet)

Important pre-harvest management factors have a massive impact on increasing storage life and post-harvest quality of produces. One of the most important factors in post-harvest management is the amount of plant irrigation. This study conducted in order to evaluate the effect of irrigation level in the field on quality and storage duration of fresh cut watermelon (Crimson Sweet cultivar). The irrigation treatment was %100 (control) and %75 of available water (AW) and storage duration treatment was in 5 stages including 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 daysin 5°C. Results showed that water stress treatment increased amount of total soluble solids (TSS), total phenols, total carotenoids and decreased texture firmness. During 20 days of storage fresh cut, TSS, pH, flavor index, firmness, a*, chroma, lycopene and total carotenoid contents significantly decreased, but all of these traits except chroma had not significant difference between 0 and 5 days. Whereas, titratable acidity, weight loss, L*, hue angle and total phenolic compounds increased significantly. Although, water stress increased TSS in 0 and 5 days, this was not statistically significant compared with control. According to these results, water stress treatment improved some quality parameters of produce and stability made stable in storage. So, %75AW and 5 days of storage for maximum quality of half fresh cut watermelon could be recommended.