Nur Azlin, R.^1*, Nurul Khdijah, R.¹, Farah Aqila, H.¹, Hasmin Hakim, H.², Masniza, S.², Zainun, M. S.², Teoh, C. C.² and Suhana, S.³

^{Abstract
Watermelon registered the highest total exports with 43.1 thousand tonnes, 33.7% of local production. A preliminary survey estimated the postharvest loss for watermelon in Malaysia at 33%, with losses at the collection centre accumulating at the highest rate (56%). This high loss needs to be addressed to reduce the postharvest losses in the agriculture sector. A study on storage temperature and relative humidity (RH) to reduce losses of watermelon was conducted for four weeks. Treatments included storage at temperature of 10 °C with 85 – 95% RH and 60 – 70% RH. Storage at ambient temperature (25 °C) with RH 60 – 70% was set as a control. Representative samples from each treatment were removed weekly for visual appearance and physicochemical quality. Watermelon stored at the ambient temperature of 25 °C scored good until four weeks. Fruits stored at a cold temperature of 10 °C with 60 – 70% RH scored acceptable at week-4, while fruits stored at the same temperature with 85 – 95% RH were infected with mould and scored as poor. Fruits stored at lower relative humidity reported a high percentage of weight loss. In conclusion, storage at low relative humidity (60 – 70%) at 25 °C, helps slow down the fungal infection and extends the shelf life of watermelon up to four weeks.}

^{Keywords: postharvest, postharvest loss, fungal infection, value chain, temperature}

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