Preharvest supplemental lighting enhances productivity and modulates postharvest quality in hydroponically grown Apulian unripe melon ‘Scopatizzo’ ( Cucumis melo L.)

Summary

Abstract BACKGROUND Preharvest light management is increasingly used to enhance yield and fruit quality in soilless systems, yet its effects on unripe melon fruits remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the impact of supplemental red–blue light‐emitting diode (LED) lighting applied during cultivation in a closed‐cycle hydroponic system on productivity, mineral composition and postharvest behaviour (4 °C for up to 17 days) of the Apulian melon landrace ‘Scopatizzo’ (Cucumis melo L.), consumed as an unripe fruit alternative to cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). RESULTS Principal component analysis highlighted a clear separation between cucumber and ‘Scopatizzo’ samples. In ‘Scopatizzo’, LED supplementation increased fruit number per plant by approximately 29% (14 versus 11 fruits per pla