Abstract: Muskmelon discs taken at ripening stage were used by different concentrations of calcium nitrate(1,3,5mmol/L) and various time(4,8,12,16,20,24 h) in order to investigate related to maturation and consenescence physiological parameters.The results showed that calcium nitrate treatment apparently slowed down the consenescence rate,made the flesh firmness higher than the control, elevated the activities of POD, SOD and CAT, retarded the ethylene production,reduced the soluble protein content,and declined the increased speed of electrical conductivity and LOX activity.However,different treat concentrat ions and time had various influences in the maturation and consenescence process of fruit.Moreover,compared with 1 mmol/L and 3 mmol/L, 5 mmol/L treatment more significantly slowed down the maturation and consenescence process of muskmelon.Meanwhile,compared to the calcium nitrate treated for 4 h and 8 h,the discs treated for 12 h were more apparently promoted or inhibited based on above maturation and consenescence physiological parameters;however,with the prolonging of treated time to 24 h, the activities of POD,SOD and CAT dropped markedly,as well as the inhibition of synthesis of soluble protein,and the increased speed of electrical conductivity and LOX activity were reduced markedly.Therefore,5mmol/ L calcium nitrate and treated for 12 h could delayed the maturat ion and consenescence process of muskmelon.

Key words: Muskmelon, Calcium, Ethylene, Firmness, Consenescence

CLC Number: 

• S52.01