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BACKGROUND: The quality of melon fruit depends upon many factors that can be affected by growing conditions and post-harvest management. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of nitrogen fertilisation levels on the fruit quality at harvest time and during storage. Experiments were performed in an open field using melon plants (Cucumis melo L. Var. Reticulatus cv. Prodigio). The nitrogen (N) was applied through fertigation using four fertilisation levels: 0, 55, 110 and 165 kg ha −1 . After harvest the fruits were stored at 10 • C for 8 days. At harvest time the yield, flesh firmness, skin and pulp colours, content of carotenoids, total phenols, ascorbic acid (AsA) and ethylene production were measured on fruits differently fertilised.

Consumers are oriented towards fresh-cut vegetables that provide phytonutrients useful for preventing stress-related diseases. The aim of this work was to evaluate the cut operations on the quality changes of lamb's lettuce (Valerianella olitoria L.) cv. Trofy during storage at 4°C for 8 days. Results showed that chlorophyll and carotenoids reduction was observed after 8 days of storage. In both treatments, total carotenoids after 8 days decreased from 20 to 16 mg g )1 FW. Free and total phenols increased with storage in both treatments. Total phenols were 23% higher in control (32 lmol g )1 FW) compared to cut leaves (25 lmol g )1 FW) after 8 days of storage. Anthocyanins increased after 8 days and reached 30 mg 100 g )1 FW without significant difference between treatments. Ascorbic acid (AsA) and dehydroascorbic (DHA) acid increased in cut leaves compared to control. After 1 day AsA concentration was 3 300 nmol g )1 FW in cut leaves, while in control leaves was 1 500 nmol g )1 FW. Analogously AsA + DHA was higher in cut leaves, 4 100 nmol g )1 FW, while in control leaves the mean was 3 000 nmol g )1 FW. After 5 days of storage the values of AsA returned to initial values, while AsA + DHA were lower.

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