Novel melon plants

Abstract

The present invention relates to novel plants, in particular to melon plants capable of producing fruits with a new pleasant taste and to seeds thereof. The present invention further relates to fruits of melon plants of the present invention, wherein such fruits have organic acid content, low pH and high sugar contents. The present invention further relates to methods of making and using plants and fruits disclosed herein.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 535,631, filed Jan. 9, 2004. The above application is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to novel plants, in particular to melon plants capable of producing fruits with a new pleasant taste. In particular, the fruits of the melon plants of the present invention have altered organic acid contents, lower pH when compared to current commercial sweet melon fruits, and high sugar contents. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is a commercial crop grown worldwide. Cucumis melo is a member of the family Cucurbitaceae. The Cucurbitaceae comprises about 90 genera and 700 to 760 species, mostly of the tropics. The family includes pumpkins, squashes, gourds, watermelon, loofah and several weeds. Cucumis melo L. includes a very wide variety of cultivars producing fruits of different shape, extern...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] The inventors of the instant application have identified that there is a wide variability in the contents and composition of organic acids in melon fruits. In particular, the inventors of the present invention have identified that melon plants produce fruits with varying contents of citric acid and varying ratios of citric acid to malic acid. Accordingly, the inventors of the present invention have combined appropriate content of organic acids, low pH and desired sugar contents in a melon fruit to obtain novel and extremely pleasant tastes.

[0017] In one embodiment, the instant invention discloses melon plants capable of producing a very sweet juicy fruit with tart-refreshing sour taste, and referred herein to as “Citric+” plants or fruits. Such fruits comprise high contents of citric acid and low pH, increasing the acid taste and providing a tart perception, which covers still too flat and poor flavors of early mature fruits.

[0033] In one embodiment, the characteristics of a fruit according to the present invention described herein remain stable after the fruit reaches maturity. In one embodiment, such characteristics remain stable after a fruit reaches maturity when the fruit is kept on the plant. In one embodiment, such characteristics remain stable when the fruit is harvested and kept in storage after harvest. This allows for a reduced harvest frequency, and to store or ship a fruit of the present invention without loosing its organoleptic characteristics and aroma. In one embodiment, the pH of a fruit of the instant invention remains stable after a fruit reaches maturity. In one embodiment, the citric acid content of a fruit of the present invention remains stable after a fruit reaches maturity. In one embodiment, the malic acid content of a fruit of the present invention remains stable after a fruit reaches maturity. In one embodiment, the ratio citric acid to malic acid of a fruit of the present invention remains stable after a fruit reaches maturity. In one embodiment, the pH and organic acid contents and composition of a fruit of the present invention remain stable after a fruit reaches maturity. In one embodiment, such characteristics remain within the ranges described herein after a fruit reaches maturity. In one embodiment, the present invention discloses a plant capable of producing a fruit, the characteristics of which remain stable for at least 2 days when the fruit is kept on the plant, in one embodiment for at least 3 days when the fruit is kept on the plant, in one embodiment for at least 4 days when the fruit is kept on the plant. In one embodiment, the present invention discloses a plant capable of producing a fruit, the characteristics of which remain stable for at least 5 days when kept in storage at 20° C., in one embodiment for at least 7 days when kept in storage at 20° C., in one embodiment for at least 9 days when kept in storage at 20° C. In one embodiment, the present invention discloses a plant capable of producing a fruit, the characteristics of which remain stable for at least 7 days when kept in storage at 8-12° C. followed by at least 2 days at 20° C., in one embodiment for at least 12 days when kept in storage at 8-12° C. followed by at least 2 days at 20° C., in one embodiment for at least 26 days when kept in storage at 8-12° C. followed by at least 2 days at 20° C. In one embodiment, a plant of the instant invention is capable of producing a long shelf-life fruit (LSL) or a medium shelf-life fruit (MSL). In one embodiment, a plant of the instant invention is capable of producing a non-turning fruit or low turning fruit. In one embodiment, a plant of the instant invention is capable of producing a non-climacteric fruit or a low climacteric fruit.

[0038] The present invention thus provides melon fruits offering a pleasant acid component but avoiding an astringent taste. This enhances or complements melon flavors to their maximum potential. These combinations of organic acid content and low pH with high sugars provide new ranges and classes of appealing tastes for fresh consumption or the fresh cut or fresh juice industry. Low pH in fruit flesh also prevents bacterial contamination in fresh cut and juice industrial processes. DEFINITIONS

Problems solved by technology

These fruits are generally not edible in fresh consumption without dressing or cooking and, in some cases, they are even bitter.

This melon variety also involves poor fruit traits such as very mealy, non-aromatic and non-sweet flesh, very climacteric behavior and thin skin bursting at ripening.

These undesired traits are difficult to remove by breeding and it is therefore expected that the development of commercial products from such a variety would be lengthy and difficult.