Impact of Cucurbita and Cucumis melo rootstocks on aroma volatile compounds in Oriental melon fruits

Few studies were associated with the influence of rootstock on Oriental melon volatile aroma compounds. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether Cucurbita and Cucumis melo rootstocks could influence the aroma volatile compounds of Oriental melon fruits. The effects of grafting two rootstock genotypes, Cucurbita moschata × Cucurbita moschata hybrid [Nanzhen No. 1 (NZ1)] and Oriental pickling melo (OPM, Cucumis melo L. var. conomon Makino), on the volatile compounds of Oriental melon ‘Liyu’ fruits were studied. Relatively low levels of the volatiles responsible for sweet notes were observed in fruits from grafted plants. However, the levels of key aroma esters ethyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate and phenyl methyl acetate were similar in grafted and non-grafted samples. Grafted samples were tasted similar to non-grafted samples. Grafting to Cucurbita rootstock NZ1 and C. melo rootstock OPM resulted in ‘Liyu’ of acceptable quality.