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The variability of 14 landraces belonging to a Madrilean village historically specialized on melon cultivation, Villaconejos, was evaluated based on 58 quantitative and qualitative morphological traits. These landraces were compared to a reference array composed of 14 accessions which represented the main varieties cultivated in Spanish fields. Individual data related to plant, fruit, seed and phenology have been analysed using a multivariate analysis. This analysis showed intra-and inter-varietal diversity, as emphasized the most discriminant morphological traits in order to define similarities. Villaconejos accessions were morphologically distinct from the reference accessions (RA). Only the landraces belonging to Piel de Sapo market class showed common morphological affinities with the RA, grouping with them. The majority of Villaconejos traditional varieties clustered in five different groups, with no RA within, showing distinctive morphological singularities not described previously. Two of these groups showed some particularities in fruit traits, which are appreciated as quality marks for Spanish consumers. These results indicate that these accessions must be conserved as valuable genetic resources to enrich the Inodorus genetic bases for future breeding proposes worldwide. Furthermore, it should be considered the opportunity of promoting their cultivation under the shelter of a Protected Geographical Indication as a high quality melon. Finally, the discovering of such a high variability presented in a very small area, gives a clue for focusing, with an elevated probability of success, future surveys in similar ancestral European villages which in the past times, also supplied more populated cities with their farming products.

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Sensory proWling was applied as an eVective tool in melon characterization to evaluate twenty-six melon varieties, landraces and commercial hybrids over 3 years of harvesting. The landraces were from Villaconejos, a Madrilean village historically specialized in melon cultivation. These landraces have remarkable morphological and molecular diversity according to previous studies. Individual panel results related to color, Wrmness, juiciness, sweetness, acidity and Wbrosity, and seven diVerent aromas of melon fruits were analyzed using a multivariate analysis. The results of these analyses showed that Villaconejos accessions were highly diverse and distinct from the reference accessions. The comparison of speciWc and homologous traditional and commercial varieties indicated that genetic improvement programs have had a remarkable eVect on some sensorial attributes. Most Villaconejos varieties exhibited noteworthy particularities that the consumer panel considered quality marks, such as the sweetness and acidity of 'Mochuelo Tradicional' or the juiciness of 'Melón Azul'. The most preferred group was composed of seven varieties. The Wrst three preferred varieties were Villaconejos landraces, as was the Wfth variety in this group. In conclusion, these results indicate that Villaconejos landraces could provide Inodorus genetic resources with priceless sensorial attributes that are appreciated by consumers and are currently unavailable in the melon market. Therefore, these landraces constitute an irreplaceable resource for farmers, breeders and seed companies.

Melon (Cucumis melo L.

A potential strategy to address the lack of success of North American orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) breeding programs to increase forage yield and other agronomic traits is the incorporation of novel sources of germplasm. In an attempt to identify novel orchardgrass germplasm sources with agronomic potential, the study described herein characterized 162 half‐sib families (HSFs) from six orchardgrass germplasm populations and three orchardgrass cultivars. Study conditions were Millville, UT, and Rexburg, ID, field sites with data collection from 2008 to 2010. The genotype × location interaction variance differed from zero for dry matter yield, crude protein, in vitro true digestibility (IVTD), neutral detergent fiber, and seed weight. Within location broad‐sense heritability differed for all traits at both locations (0.36 ±0.10 to 0.77 ±0.03) except IVTD at Rexburg. For each trait there were HSFs that possessed values similar to or better than the included check cultivars (CCs). Additionally, in several instances the mean phenotype of the HSFs from a specific family was better than the phenotype of the corresponding parental population and/or the mean phenotype of the CCs. Overall, for each trait there existed sufficient genetic variation to develop an elite orchardgrass breeding program for irrigated conditions.

1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) has been a useful tool to extend the postharvest life of 'Bartlett' pears, but fruit response can be highly variable due to competition with ethylene. Application of liquid 1-MCP after harvest was tested to determine its efficacy as compared with gaseous 1-MCP. Fruit harvested from Sacramento and Lakeport, California at early-, mid-and latecommercial harvest maturity were treated with 0.6 µL L-1 gaseous 1-MCP at 0 °C for 24h or dipped for 0, 15, 30, 45 or 60 s in 250, 500, 750 or 1000 μg L-1 1-MCP in four experiments across three years of study. After treatment, pears were exposed to ethylene or kept in cold storage at 1 °C for 5 weeks before ripening at 20 °C. Treatment with liquid 1-MCP delayed pear ripening as evidenced by delayed softening for a minimum of 6 d compared to the control fruit, delayed the increase in respiration and ethylene production rates, and reduced respiration and ethylene production rates. Treatment was effective in a concentration-and dip time-dependent manner. Overall, dipping in 1000 μg L-1 liquid 1-MCP for 60 s was the most consistent treatment among years and locations; however, the resulting time to ripen at 20 °C could be too long for some commercial applications. Treatment at 500 μg L-1 liquid 1-MCP is recommended for 'Bartlett' pears as this dose controls the ripening process, and provides consistent response for mid-and late-maturity fruit. A postharvest evaluation of a liquid formulation of 1-MCP provided a more consistently effective treatment for 'Bartlett' pears (Pyrus communis) than the current gaseous treatments.