an abscission layer between the stem and a mature fruit
melon growers as ‘full slip’.
Maturity is indicated by external rind colour change from green to yellow or yellow to white (according to the rind colour of the cultivar).
The external colour change, the blossom end of the soft fruit softens and the coat becomes waxy as its aroma increases.
Melon seed is not fermented before washing to separate the seed from
other fruit material. After washing the seed is dried as described for watermelon.
Final separation of the seeds to be retained from the remaining fruit
debris and light seed can be made by passing the seed lot through an aspirated
screen cleaner.