Post-harvest management and characteristics of melon cultivars fruits and their prospects in the Roraima savannah: a review

Abstract

The melon (Cucumis melo L.) holds significant economic importance on the global stage, with Brazil standing out as a strong exporter. Climatic conditions such as high temperatures, low relative humidity, and extended periods of sunlight are beneficial for the fruit's production and quality. The Northeast region of Roraima, particularly the municipalities of Bonfim and Normandia, close to the border with Guyana, has a semi-arid climate with an average annual rainfall between 1,200 and 1,400 mm. After harvesting, horticultural products begin to respire, a process that compromises post-harvest quality, leading to a decrease in organoleptic characteristics, firmness, sugar content, and loss of mass. The Cantaloupensis and Reticulatus melons, which are climacteric, have a high synthesis of ethylene and high respiratory rates in the fruit, resulting in flavor deterioration, firmness loss, and a shorter post-harvest shelf life. In contrast, non-climacteric melons, such as the inodorus group, display reduced ethylene synthesis, white flesh, subtle aroma, no pronounced ripening, and a longer post-harvest lifespan. It's worth noting that the melon market offers a variety of significant cultivars, resistant to pests, with high productivity and excellent post-harvest quality. This study aimed to address a literature review on the management of melon cultivation, development conditions of the crop, and post-harvest of melon cultivars in the Roraima Savanna."