Extended Shelf Life in Transgenic `Galia' Melon (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus Ser.)

Abstract

`Galia' is a high-quality muskmelon cultivar that is grown in green-houses or tunnels to maximize fruit yield and to help improve fruit quality. Maximum fruit quality and flavor are achieved when `Galia' are harvested at maturity. This however leads to reduced firmness and short shelf life. In vitro regeneration and transformation of `Galia' melon is a strategy that can be used to increase fruit shelf life. Melon cotyledons were transformed with the ACC oxidase gene in antisense orientation according to the protocol described by Nunez-Palenius et al. (2001, 2003). Experiments were conducted to compare fruit quality parameters between transgenic (TT) and wild type (WT) fruits from plants grown in greenhouse conditions. The melon plants were grown using commercial growing practices that included pruning and training to one vertical stem and the use of soilless media and drip fertigation. Wild type fruits were harvested at 37, 42, and 50 days after pollination (DAP), whereas transgenic fruits were harvested at 42, 50, and 56 DAP. TT fruits were harvested with that delaying period since their ripening process was slower than WT. Thirteen preharvest parameters were evaluated in transgenic and wild type fruits. Wild type and transgenic weight, lenght, width, soluble solids, tritatable acidity, pH, firmness, flesh thickness, seed cavity size and seed number parameters were not significantly different. Ethylene production and ACC oxidase from 42 DAP wild type fruits were greater than from transgenic fruits. Transgenic (ACC oxidase) galia melon fruits had a delayed fruit ripening process compared with wild type fruits.