The effects of fruit load, leaf area, night temperature, cultivar and ripening stage on the soluble solids content (SSC) of muskmelons were studied in a series of experiments performed during spring, summer and autumn in heated glasshouses. All factors except fruit load were found to affect SSC. In every experiment the duration of the maturation period (i.e. from fruit set to harvest) was positively correlated with SSC. In order to obtain fruits with a high SSC, it is important to achieve a low rate of fruit growth, i.e. a long maturation period. Low night temperatures in the period of fruit growth, a high leaf area, harvesting only ripe fruits and selecting slow-ripening cultivars may contribute to the production of fruits with high SSC. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

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