Melon Fruit Quality Research Articles

Organic versus inorganic fertilizers: Response of soil properties and crop yield

<abstract> <p>The decrease in soil productivity and quality caused by the continuous and abusive use of mineral fertilizers makes necessary to adopt more sustainable agricultural soil management strategies that help to maintain soil edaphic fertility. In light of these considerations, we have evaluated the effect of organic vs. inorganic fertilization on soil microbial communities, soil quality, and crop yield in a melon crop. The following treatments were tested: i) aerobic sewage sludge from a conventional wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) using aerobic bacteria (SS); ii) aerobic sewage sludge from a WWTP using a bacteria-microalgae consortium (B); iii) N-P-K mineral fertilizer (M); iv) a treatment in which 50% of the N was contributed by SS and 50% by mineral fertilizer (M + SS); v) a treatment in which 50% of the N was contributed by B and 50% by mineral fertilizer (M + B); and vi) a no-fertilized control soil. Melon yield and fruit quality were determined in addition to several soil physical, chemical, biochemical and microbiological parameters. Organic fertilizers (SS and B) increased the percentage of soil water-stable aggregates (52 and 60% respectively) as well as the content of organic C (18 and 31%), water soluble C (21 and 41%), N (15 and 41%) and available P content (41 and 82%) compared to inorganic fertilization. They also stimulated bacterial and fungal abundance to a greater extent than mineral fertilizers (189 and 242% vs 85%, and 57 and 122% vs 29%, respectively), as well as soil respiration, and dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, phosphatase, urease, and glycine aminopectidase activities. The analysis of principal components with parameters linked to soil quality clearly showed that organic fertilizers cause a greater improvement in soil characteristics and microbial community than mineral fertilizers. Results demonstrate that organic and combined fertilization could be used as substitutes for nitrogen mineral fertilizers in melon crop, since these treatments led to similar melon production and quality while improving soil characteristics and microbial population size and activity.</p> </abstract>

Food quality attributes of melon (Cucumis melo L.) influenced by grafting

AbstractMelon (Cucumis meloL.) is an important and valuable vegetable crop that nowadays has a 550ha cultivation area in Hungary. The use of grafting for cucurbits is a growing technique of interest to the food industry. Nevertheless, for melons the practice of grafting is not widespread, in contrast grafted seedlings are widely used by the watermelon growers. On the other hand, it should be mentioned that the food quality attributes can change, due to the grafting. Globally there are not many scientific articles available in this topic. The goal of our study is to provide a systematic review of literature with emphasis on the influence of grafting on melon fruit quality variations and the major advantages of this technique. Over the last few years, the near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and electronic tongue method became popular to measure food attributes.

Slag-based silicon fertilizer improves the resistance to bacterial fruit blotch and fruit quality of melon grown under field conditions

Bacterial fruit blotch (BFB) caused by Acidovorax citrulli (Ac) is the most destructive bacterial disease affecting melon production in northeastern Brazil. Silicon (Si), which is widely recognized for suppressing plant diseases, has been proposed as a possible alternative for the control of BFB. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of slag fertilization on bacterial blotch development, soil chemical properties, plant growth and nutrition, and fruit quality. Melon hybrids AF 4945 and Medellín were grown in slag-fertilized (5.00 t ha−1) and non-fertilized plots, being inoculated with Ac 25 days after emergence. The slag fertilization significantly reduced the area under the disease progress curve (10%), disease index (14%) and disease incidence in fruit (12%) at harvest, regardless of hybrid. Slag fertilization improved the soil fertility, plant growth and nutrition after 55 days of cultivation. Tissue analyses showed no differences in Si accumulation between the melon hybrids. However, AF 4945 accumulated more Ca and Zn than Medellín, which was associated with higher reduction in disease intensity. Also, slag treatment increased fruit flesh thickness (8%) and soluble solids (7%). Our study confirms that the supply of slag to the soil previously assessed under greenhouse studies can reduce the severity and incidence of melon BFB while improving fruit quality under field conditions.

Tomato and Melon Meloidogyne Resistant Rootstocks Improve Crop Yield but Melon Fruit Quality Is Influenced by the Cropping Season.

Four rotation sequences consisting of ungrafted tomato cv. Durinta – melon cv. Paloma or tomato grafted onto the resistant rootstock ‘Aligator’ – melon grafted onto the resistant Cucumis metuliferus accession BGV11135, and in reverse order, were conducted from 2015 to 2017 in a plastic greenhouse infested or not with Meloidogyne incognita to determine the plant tolerance (T), the minimum relative crop yield (m) and fruit quality. The relationship between M. incognita densities in soil at transplanting (Pi) of each crop and the crop yield was assessed and T and m were estimated by the Seinhorst’s damage model. In addition, the volume and the number of nuclei of single giant cells and the number of giant cells, its volume and the number of nuclei per feeding site in susceptible tomato and melon were compared to those in the resistant tomato and C. metuliferus 15 days after nematode inoculation in pot test. The relationship between the Pi and the relative crop yield fitted the Seinhorst’s damage model in both ungrafted and grafted tomato and melon, but not for all years and cropping seasons. The estimated T for ungrafted and grafted tomato did not differ but m was lower in the former (34%) than the latter (67%). Sodium concentration in fruits from ungrafted but not from grafted tomato increased with nematode densities in spring 2015 and 2016. The estimated ungrafted melon T did not differ from the grafted melon cultivated in spring, but it did when it was cultivated in summer. The relative crop yield of ungrafted melon was lower (2%) than the grafted cultivated in spring (62%) and summer (20%). Sodium concentration in melon fruits from ungrafted plants increased with nematode densities. No variations in fruit quality from grafted melon cultivated in spring were found, although less dry matter and soluble solid content at highest nematode densities were registered when it was cultivated in summer. Lower number of giant cells per feeding site was observed in both susceptible tomato germplasms compared to the resistant ones but they were more voluminous and held higher number of nuclei per giant cell and per feeding site.

Sensory, physicochemical and volatile compound analysis of short and long shelf-life melon (Cucumis melo L.) genotypes at harvest and after postharvest storage

Flavor is a key attribute defining melon fruit quality and driving consumer preferences. We characterized and compared fruit ripening patterns (ethylene, respiration), physicochemical properties (rind/flesh color, firmness, soluble solids, acidity), aroma volatiles, and flavor-related sensory attributes in seven melon genotypes differing in shelf life capacity. Fruits were evaluated at optimal maturity and after storage for six days at 5 °C plus one day at room temperature. Total volatile content increased after storage in all genotypes, with esters being dominant. Shorter shelf-life genotypes, displaying a sharper climacteric phase, correlated with fruity/floral/sweet flavor-related descriptors, and with esters, sulfur-containing compounds and a terpenoid. Longer shelf-life types were associated with firmness, green and grassy aroma/flavor and aldehydes. Multivariate regression identified key volatiles that predict flavor sensory perception, which could accelerate breeding of longer shelf-life melons with improved flavor characteristics.

Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi improves melon (Cucumis melo) fruit quality under field conditions and plant performance in both field and greenhouse

Previous works have suggested that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can enhance the quality of plant products and fruits. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of AM fungi on Cucumis melo plant growth, yield, fitness and fruit quality. Inoculated and uninoculated plants of two melon cultivars (Baggio and Expò) were grown in field under common agronomic practices. In addition, a greenhouse test was run on cv. Expò in order to assess the effects of AM inoculation on shoot, leaf and flower development in semi-controlled conditions. In comparison to controls, AM plants flowered earlier, produced more flowers and their pulp contained more sugars and carotenoids. The symbiosis also improved seed size and weight, as well as their germination and root elongation in the first stages of growth in field. Concluding, AM inoculation significantly improved fruit quality in field, under commercial production conditions, also leading to the development of seeds with higher germination rate and increasing plant fitness.

Foliar application of putrescine before a short-term heat stress improves the quality of melon fruits (Cucumis melo L.).

Climate change has caused an increase in the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, worldwide, which subject plants to thermal stress for short periods; this can affect the quality of melon fruits, both negatively and positively. Since the application of putrescine has been shown to help increase tolerance of abiotic stresses, the objective of this work is to determine the effects of the foliar application of putrescine (1.5 and 5 mmol L-1 ) before a short heat stress (HS) on the quality of melon fruits. The results indicate that HS had a positive effect on the quality of melon fruits, since it increased the total sugars and polyamines contents and the antioxidant capacity, and reduced the presence of substances undesirable in foods such as nitrate. However, the fruit quality was further increased by the combination of HS and putrescine (5 mmol L-1 ). In this case, the melon fruits showed increases in their antioxidant capacity and contents of polyamines, amino acids and minerals beneficial to health. The nitrate concentration was even lower than in the control fruits. This novel study highlights the possibility of improving the nutritional quality of melon pulp by applying foliar putrescine in combination with a short period of high temperature. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of post-harvest hot water treatments on the fungi contamination, physiology and quality of rock melon fruit

During the postharvest management of fruits and vegetables, the losses range from 10 to 30% of the entire production. This is due to numerous causes, but the most important reason is infestation by fungi. Many synthetic fungicides are employed for postharvest treatment of fruit and vegetables throughout the world. However, fungicidal residues often represent a significant threat to human health. The current study examined the use of hot water treatments on rock melon fruit. Hot water treatments at 55℃ was arranged into four treatments of different dipping periods of 0 minutes (control), 1 minute, 2 minutes, and 3 minutes. The postharvest hot water treatments on rock melon fruit were found to increase the shelf life up to 21 days by minimizing the weight loss, maintaining firmness, preventing the damage of sucrose, retaining the rind size, maintaining the fruit appearance, and reducing fungal infection. The one-minute dip was more effective than other treatments. The treatment successfully extends the shelf life of rock melon fruit quality for the market until three weeks of storage at 21 ± 1 ℃ compared with the control, which was only stored for one week. The results showed the importance of hot water treatments as an alternative to fungicides or chemical treatments, which have a high risk to the health of consumers. Hot water treatment is economical and easier to access than the chemical treatments.

The Effect of Leaf Bud Trimming and Fruit Position Arrangement on the Quality of Golden Melon (Cucumis melo L.)

Melon are one of the most popular fruit commodities, but, despite the demand, its production in Indonesia has declined. One measure that can be used to optimize the quality of melon fruit is to trim off the leaf buds and arrange the position of fruiting on the stem, and this study, using the golden melon cultivar ‘Apollo,’ aimed to identify the effects of leaf bud trimming and fruit position arrangement in improving the quantity and quality of the fruit harvest. The experiment was conducted from March to May 2018 in the greenhouse of Food Crop and Horticulture Agribusiness Development (UPT Pengembangan Agribisnis Tanaman Pangan dan Hortikultura), in Lebo, Sidoarjo, Indonesia. It was based on a split-plot design, with leaf bud trimming as the main factor, consisting of two groups (trimming or not trimming), and fruit positions as the secondary factor, consisting of four stages, all repeated at four different time intervals. A correlation was found between leaf bud trimming and fruit position arrangement toward the number of leaves. However, the treatments did not affect the growth and yield of the plants, but did have a significant effect on fruit weight, sweetness, and volume. It was concluded that trimming off the leaf buds and arranging the fruiting position on golden melon plants can increase the quality of fruits, with the treatment involving trimming combined with arranging fruiting on the twelfth–thirteenth segment showing the best results.

Effects of Led Supplementary Lighting and NPK Fertilization on Fruit Quality of Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Grown in Plastic House

Abstract Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is a high-value fruit in Thailand, usually grown in plastic houses where light could become a major limiting growth factor. This study used melon cultivar ‘#120’ (orange flesh) grown in a plastic house under natural daylight (NDL, control) and with supplementary lighting using light emitting diodes (LEDs) of a combination of red 630 nm, red 660 nm, blue 450 nm, blue 460 nm, white 14000 K, UV 410 nm and IR 730 nm (LED1) or a combination of red 630 nm, red 660 nm, blue 450 nm and blue 460 nm (LED2) applied for 12 h from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am. These lighting treatments were combined with NPK fertilization using complete fertilizer 15–15–15 (N–P2O5–K2O) at 5 g, 7 g (recommended rate) or 9 g per plant. Results showed that LED2 combined with 9 g 15–15–15 was the most effective in increasing plant height, chlorophyll content (SPAD index), fruit size and mass, and peel and flesh thickness. The fruit also developed the desired lighter color (higher L* and lower a* coordinates) and were the firmest and sweetest (highest soluble solids content and lowest titratable acidity) among all treatments.

Linking sensory and proton transfer reaction–mass spectrometry analyses for the assessment of melon fruit (Cucumis melo L.) quality traits

Sixty-seven samples of ten melon types (Cucumis melo L.) were evaluated to determine the relationship between their quality traits: sensory attributes, pH, soluble solids, and volatile organic compounds. Fruits from the cantalupensis, conomon, dudaim, inodorus, and momordica cultivar groups were analyzed. The sensory profiles were assessed using ten attributes covering odor, flavor, and taste characteristics, whereas the volatile profiles were derived by proton transfer reaction–mass spectrometry. Fruits from the cantalupensis and inodorus cultivars showed an opposite pattern for several quality traits. Fruits from the dudaim cultivar were more related to the cantalupensis, whereas conomon and momordica showed an intermediate behavior between inodorus and cantalupensis. The attributes of odor and flavor intensity, ripe fruit odor, fermentative odor, and fermentative flavor correlated positively to C3–C9 esters (r = 0.43–0.73; p ≤ 0.01). Positive correlations were also observed for several alcohols (r = 0.36–0.82; p ≤ 0.05), including methanol, ethanol, and diol alcohols, as well as for several aldehydes (r = 0.43–0.85; p ≤ 0.01), such as acetaldehyde, butanal, methyl butanal, heptanal, and decanal. The attributes mentioned above were negatively correlated with two C9 aldehydes, 2,6-nonadienal and nonenal (r = − 0.45 to − 0.62; p ≤ 0.01), whereas sweetness was negatively correlated with two C6 green leaf volatiles, hexenal and 3-hexenol (r = − 0.50; − 0.67; p ≤ 0.001). The melon fruits presented distinct differences in the quality traits evaluated. These results provide information for the development of new cultivars with characteristic taste combinations without compromising other desirable fruit quality traits.

Melon fruit yield and quality as a function of doses and times of biostimulant application

The objective of this study was to evaluate the productivity and quality of melon fruits as a function of the dose and time of application of biostimulant in the conditions of the semi-arid region of Paraíba. The experiment was carried out at the Federal University of Campina Grande, campus of Pombal - PB, Brazil, in a randomized block design in a 4 x 5 split plot scheme, with doses of biostimulant (0; 0.5; 1.0; 1, 5 and 2.0 L ha-1) and in the subset of the biostimulant application times (15; 20; 25 and 30 days before harvest - DAC), in four replications. Characteristics related to fruit production and quality were evaluated. There was no interaction between the factors of dose and application time of the biostimulant in any of the evaluated characteristics. Thus, the highest estimated values of number of fruits per plant, fruit mass and total melon production were obtained with the application of doses ranging from 0.9 to 1.5 L ha-1 and at the time of application it varied from 22,5 to 23.6 DAC. The content of soluble solids increased 5.5% when the biostimulant dose of 2.0 L ha-1 was used and 4.4% when the product was applied 15 days before harvest.

Effects of three intercropping species on growth, nutrition absorption, and fruit quality of oriental melon

To explore the effects of different intercropping species on growth, nutrition absorption, and fruit quality of oriental melon, we examined plant height, stem diameter, root activity, contents of mineral elements (N, P, K, Ca and Mg), and fruit quality and yield of oriental melon under the oriental melon monoculture (MM), intercropping of fennel/oriental melon (FM), tillered-onion/oriental melon (TM), or wormwood/oriental melon (WM). Results showed that plant height of intercropping treatments was significantly higher than that of the monoculture over time. The stem diameter of the FM and TM treatments was significantly higher than that of the MM treatment, while there was no significant difference between the WM and MM treatments. At the stretch tendril stage, fruit setting stage, and fruit expanding stage, root activity of FM treatment was significantly higher than that of MM and TM treatments. The mine-ral elements contents of oriental melon plants in three intercropping treatments were higher than that in MM treatment in different degrees, with the mine-ral elements contents of FM treatment being higher than that of TM and WM treatments. The single fruit weights of FM and TM treatments did not differ from the MM treatment. The fruit quality indices of FM treatment were not lower than MM treatment, while some fruit quality indices (including the contents of glucose, fructose, and sucrose) of WM and TM treatments were lower than that under MM treatment. In summary, fennel was a suitable species for intercropping with the oriental melon.

GGE Biplot Analysis of Genotype-by-environment Interactions for Melon Fruit Yield and Quality Traits

The stability of yield and quality traits in nine orange-fleshed melon (Cucumis melo L.) genotypes was studied over nine environments in south-central Texas (College Station, Uvalde, and Weslaco) over 3 years (2010, 2011, and 2012). Besides yield traits, fruit -quality components such as soluble solids content (SSC), β-carotene, and fruit firmness were also measured. Data were subjected to the combined analysis of variance and trait stability by GGE Biplot. The significant genotype-by-location interactions for yield traits demonstrated the potential to develop location-specific cultivars. However, the temporal fluctuations in productivity emphasized the need to select for stability over several years in potential cultivars for the target environments. Cultivar Mission was confirmed as the most stable and average performing genotype for marketable yield and quality traits at all locations. Uvalde was identified as the ideal location for selecting generally adapted genotypes for south-central Texas. Biplot analysis indicated that Orange Dew was the highest mean performing genotype for SSC. The hybrid Oro Duro, followed by TAMU 146, ranked highest for mean and stability of β-carotene content, but it ranked lowest for fruit firmness. TAMU Orange Casaba exhibited specific adaptation, producing the highest mean fruit yield at Weslaco, while Journey had the highest fruit yield at College Station and Uvalde. Understanding of genotype-by-environment interactions for multiple traits in melon is critical for developing cultivars with high mean performance and stability in target growing environments.

Ecological nutrient solutions on yield and quality of melon fruits

Due to health benef its, organic food products have increased their demand in recent years. The objective was evaluating the effects of three ecological nutrient solutions, (Tea of compost, vermicompost, and leachate of vermicompost), on yield and quality of melon plants. As a control, an inorganic nutrient solution was used. Our results showed that compost tea promoted fruit yield equivalent to the inorganic nutrient solution. Plants fertilized with compost tea yielded fruits with the highest value of soluble solids content (9.98 ºBrix). Regarding antioxidant capacity, fruits fed with compost tea and vermicompost leachate obtained higher values than fruits fed with nutrient solution, fruits fed with vermicompost leachate obtained statistically higher values than fruits fed with chemical nutrient solution. Concerning to total phenolic content plants fed with vermicompost leachate obtained the highest value statistically similar to control plants fed with the Steiner nutrient solution.

Use of Mycorrhiza to Reduce Mineral Fertilizers in Soilless Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Cultivation

Intensive use of mineral fertilizers in soilless growing systems can have adverse effects on the environment and human health and could be economically expensive. Aim of this study was whether it can be reduced mineral nutrients in soilless grown melon by using mycorrhizae inoculation. The experiment has been carried out in the early spring growing period in a greenhouse in the Mediterranean climate. The eight treatments have been applied: (1) 100% Full nutrition (control), (2) 100% Full nutrition+mycorrhiza, (3) 80% nutrition, (4) 80% nutrition+mycorrhiza (5) 60% nutrition (6) 60% nutrition+mycorrhiza (7) 40% nutrition, (8) 40% nutrition+mycorrhiza. Effects of mycorrhiza on melon plant growth, yield, fruit quality, and leaf nutrient concentrations were investigated. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization is accompanied by plant growth increases in reduced nutrient levels. The mycorrhiza inoculation had a significant enhancing effect on total yield in soilless grown melon plants. The highest increasing effect on melon yield was observed in the “80% nutrient+mycorrhiza”, and AM- inoculated plants produced 49.5% higher melon yield (12.4 kg m-2) than that of control plants without mycorrhizae (8.3 k gm-2). AM-inoculation was also able to establish an improvement in Brix and EC of melon fruit. In the nutrient contents of leaves, there were slight increases in AM-inoculated plants, except P. The P content was significantly increased in AM-inoculated 80% nutrient plants as comparison to that of its control.
 
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 In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 4, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue.
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Pertumbuhan, Produksi, dan Kualitas Buah Melon dengan Pemberian Pupuk Silika

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is a plant that has economic value and has been cultivated in several areas of Indonesia with intensive fertilization. The mineral nutrient that is expected to improve the quality of melon growth and fruit is silica. The aim of the research was to improve the growth and melon fruit quality by addition of silica fertilizer. The treatments in this experiment were the application of silica (Novelgro, water soluble) which was carried out on melon plants with silica concentrations of 0.67; 1.33 ppm; and control (without silica). The results showed that silica increased the plant height, leaf area, and diameter of melon fruit. Melon plant with silica treatment of 1.33 ppm had silica content in the high category (>4% Si) which was 5.31% in the skin of the fruit. Moreover, the addition of silica can prolong the fruit storage period in room temperature compared to control.

Texture diversity in melon (Cucumis melo L.): Sensory and physical assessments

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is a commercially important horticultural crop worldwide that exhibits extensive phenotypic and genetic variation. Texture is one of the key attributes defining melon fruit quality and overall consumer preference. The aim of this research was two-fold: first, to characterize and compare differences in fruit sensory and instrumental textural properties among a diverse panel of melon fruit genotypes (to determine if each methodology is capable of discriminating among genotypes independently); and secondly, to assess the correlations between texture-related sensory attributes and instrumental parameters. During two production seasons, fruit from 10 melon genotypes with diverse textural characteristics were harvested at optimal commercial maturity and stored for six days at 5 °C plus one day at room temperature, then analyzed for textural instrumental and sensory properties. Both methodologies detected significant and reproducible differences in texture among the assayed melon genotypes. Furthermore, texture-related sensory attributes of firmness, crunchiness, and juiciness significantly correlated with several parameters obtained through the instrumental assessment of texture by using different probes of the texture analyzer instrument, independently. Our results indicate that texture-related attributes and overall fruit quality improvement could be accelerated significantly by the application of instrumental measurements to select for phenotypes that highly associate with consumer perception, decreasing costs and time investments.

Effects of Fruit Thinning and Main Stem Pruning in Melon Crops

Objective: This study aimed to assess the productivity and quality of a melon crop treated with fruit thinning and main stem pruning under field conditions.
 Experimental Design: The treatments comprised the amount of fruit thinning in the plant (one, two and without thinning) and the period of main stem pruning (35, 40, 45 and 50 days after transplanting - DAT). The crop was set up in a randomized block design factorial of type 3x4, with five replications.
 Location and Duration of the Study: The experiment carried out at the Center for Agrifood Science and Technology (CCTA) of the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Campus Pombal - PB, Brazil, from December 2016 to February 2017.
 Methodology: The Hopey King hybrid of the Cantaloupe group was cultivated at a spacing of 2.0 x 0.4 m.
 Results: The plants without thinning of fruits provided lower values ​​of leaf area and fruits of lower mass. However, due to their higher quantity per hectare, the crop total productivity was high. On the other hand, plants with fewer fruits had the highest values ​​of soluble solids, total and non-reducing soluble sugars. The leaf area, fruit mass, total productivity, and the concentration of reducing and non-reducing soluble sugars were higher when the plants were pruned at 35 DAT.
 Conclusion: The fruit thinning and main stem pruning affected the production and quality of melon fruits significantly. For more demanding markets, we recommend to treat the plants with one or two fruits and prune at 35 days after transplantation, aiming to enhance the quality variables.

Effects of relative humidity and growing medium moisture on growth and fruit quality of melon (Cucumis melo L.)

As moisture or water is a factor limiting the quality of melon fruit, we investigated the effect of relative humidity and growing medium moisture on growth and fruit quality of melon. The experiment was conducted in the nylon net greenhouse of the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok from March to June 2017. It was laid out in 2×3 factorial in completely randomized design with 10 replications. Factor A was 2 levels of relative humidity (RH) (normal condition and misted). Factor B was 3 levels of field capacity (FC) of the growing medium (100, 130 or 160%). Moisture content of the growing medium was maintained throughout the experiment using a wet sensor. Melons were grown in plastic bags filled with a mixture of coconut coir, rice hull and sand in the ratio of 2:1:1 by volume. Mist treatment had a significant positive influence on plant growth and fruit quality of melon. Plant height, leaf greenness and leaf area of melons grown under mist were (107.41 cm, 30.66 SPAD unit and 112.02 cm2). They were significantly less than those under normal condition (112.54 cm, 40.78 SPAD unit and 119.70 cm2). Fruit weight and total soluble solids of fruit grown under mist (655.02 g and 11.61 °Brix) were significantly less than those from normal condition (709.11 g and 12.61 °Brix). Moisture content of the growing medium did not affect growth and fruit quality of melons. However, there was an interaction between relative humidity and moisture content of growing medium on leaf area. The mist treatment with 130-160% FC moisture of growing medium led to leaf area reduction. Therefore, the optimum conditions for melon production should be normal condition with 100% FC moisture maintained in growing medium.