Mouth-watering melons were studied at MATE

By: Trademagazin Date: 2023. 05. 17. 11:24

Which is the sweetest and most vividly colored variety of cantaloupe? What happens to cantaloupe as a result of grafting and storage? And can grafted melons really taste like pumpkin? Dzenifer Németh, PhD candidate at MATE, conducted variety comparative tests on these questions using modern procedures used in food science.

The grafting of melons onto pumpkin rootstocks has gained a lot of importance worldwide in the recent period, because through the use of grafts, plant pathogens and pests originating from the soil can be better avoided. Another advantage is that the grafted plants absorb water and nutrients more efficiently, have better growth and are better able to tolerate low temperatures.

However, according to previous research, inoculation can result in a negative change in the taste of melons, even though the cultivation technology is appropriate. The root of the pumpkin can affect the structure, color and dry matter concentration of the meat, as well as the groovedness of the skin. This is why it may happen that, according to many consumers, cantaloupe sometimes tastes like pumpkin, while others do not feel the difference between grafted and self-rooted fruits.