The aim of this work was to evaluate the fruit quality of yellow melon hybrids. The experiment was carried out at the Fazenda Santa Júlia Agro Comercial Exportadora de Frutas Tropicais Ltda in Mossoró, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomised complete block with four replicates, in a 3 x 4 factorial scheme, with the following factors: hybrids (Gold Mine, AF 646 e XPH 13096) and plant density (10,000; 20,000; 30,000 and 40,000 plants/ha). Firmness, total soluble solids, total titratable acidity, total sugars and shape ratio were evaluated. Shape ratio was affected by plant density. The hybrid AF 646 had highest total soluble solids (10.33%) and total sugars (8.45%). Gold Mine presented the best firmness (40.50 N) and shape ratio. Hybrid XPH 13096 had the highest total titratable acidity (14.38 mg/100 ml suco). In general, the three hybrids had oblong fruits. Fruits tended to become rounded with increasing plant density.
Cucumis melo L.; population; total soluble solids
