Influence of vine decline disease on the amino acid metabolism of watermelon fruit

Abstract

Vine decline (VD) is a severe disease of watermelon, melon, and other cucurbits, caused by soil-borne pathogens such as Monosporascus cannonballus and leads to root necrosis and sudden wilting at the later stage of fruit maturation. The present study examined the effects of VD on the metabolism of watermelon fruits. The VD-affected watermelon fruits had significantly lower lycopene and total solid contents. Still, polyphenols content and total antioxidant activities were comparable with the controls, suggesting that VD inhibited the ripening processes but maintained defensive processes in the fruits. The VD fruits showed a lower calcium level than the controls, while the contents of other major nutrition minerals were not significantly altered. The VD fruits had a lower content of total amino acids, and their composition was characterized by an increase in the percentage fractions for several amino acids, including citrulline, which may reflect the physiological response to the VD-related water deficit condition. The PCA plot clearly distinguished amino acid profiles between the VD and control fruits, demonstrating that VD exerted major influences on their amino acid metabolisms. Overall, the present study revealed that VD imposed characteristic impacts on the biochemical behaviors in the watermelon fruits.