A varietal trait of watermelon that determines the ability of fruits to maintain their marketability and taste qualities after harvest. Evaluation is carried out by experts during storage under controlled conditions, taking into account natural weight loss and spoilage.
In the reference
118
varieties
crop Watermelon,
where this is mentioned in the description.
For watermelons, shelf life is directly determined by the thickness of the rind and the degree of development of the fruit's cuticular layer. Unlike climacteric crops, watermelons do not ripen after harvest; therefore, determining the optimal degree of maturity at the time of harvesting is critical.
Excessive soil moisture during the growing season and before harvest reduces shelf life by inducing thinning of the pulp cell walls and causing a general weakening of the fruit's immunity. Overripe watermelons quickly lose pulp firmness and are prone to decay, while fruits of early-maturing varieties typically have minimal shelf life.
General information about the subject — on the page
Keeping quality.
Varieties of Watermelon mentioned in the description
Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.