Inheritance of hydrogen potential (pH) and titratable acidity in the melon

ABSTRACT Acidity is one of the main determinants of the taste and quality of melon fruit, together with sugars and volatile compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the inheritance of hydrogen potential (pH) and titratable acidity in melon fruit. A randomized block design with three replications was used to evaluate the F1 and F2 generations and backcrosses (RC1 and RC2) of the Védrantais melon (Cucumis melo subsp. melo var. reticulatus) with high pH and low titratable acidity, and of the AC-16 melon (C. melo subsp. melo var acidulus), with low pH and high titratable acidity. Inheritance of pH and titratable acidity in the melon is complex, and each involves a major gene with additive and dominance effects associated with polygenes with additive effects.