Sustainable cultivation of melon landraces: effects of grafting on the accumulation of flavor-related compounds

Melon landraces are highly appreciated by consumers who pay price premiums to compensate for lower yields, enabling thus supporting on-farm conservation. However, susceptibility to soilborne diseases poses a significant challengeHowever, they are highly susceptible to soilborne diseases. This study analyses the impact of Cucurbita and Cucumis rootstocks on the accumulation of flavor-related metabolites in several Spanish landraces of the Ibericus melon group, as a strategy to promote their sustainable cultivation. Scion genotype was the main factor conditioning the accumulation of sugars and acids both under standard and salineunder organic farming conditions in different environments. The effects of grafting on organic acid accumulation were negligible, while the effects on sugar profile content were limited butand volatile profile were significant, and. The latter effects were dependent on specific scion-rootstock combinations, though wild Cucumis (e.g. Fian) rootstocks represent an interesting alternative that should be furtherto be studied. The effect on the accumulation of volatiles was limited, and again depended on specific scion-rootstock combinations, and on the specific landrace population studied.. The rootstock effect even differed between populations of the same landrace. Additional data available thorugh contcts with correspondence author. Manuscript Published in Food chemistry.