Variety traits

Melon Fruit Cracking

Cucumis melo L.

A physiological defect in melon fruits characterized by skin ruptures due to disturbances in water regime, nutrition, or temperature fluctuations, which significantly reduces the marketability and shelf life of the produce.

In the reference 54 varieties crop Melon, where this is mentioned in the description.

To assess the resistance of melon cultivars to cracking, classification scales based on the calculation of incidence and severity indices are used. According to quality standards, the degree of the defect is determined by the depth of the cracks: calloused injuries may be permissible for second-grade produce, whereas deep cracks affecting the flesh or exceeding established dimensions around the peduncle significantly downgrade the fruit.

Cracking is triggered by sharp fluctuations in soil moisture, mineral nutrient imbalances—including deficiencies in calcium, boron, zinc, and potassium—as well as temperature stress during the ripening period. Melon cultivars differ significantly in their genetic predisposition to this phenomenon: breeding programs identify both resistant lines and hybrids that are highly sensitive to unfavorable growing conditions, which leads to significant harvest losses.

General information about the subject — on the page Fruit cracking.

Sources8

Varieties of Melon 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.