A monoculture of melon crops is maintained for 9 months of the year.
Oranges and melons at the bottom of the image have been peeled, broken open or cut into slices.
Similarly, melon beads and bronze pendants found inside military forts are usually considered to be associated with cavalry horses.
Effective methods for decontaminating whole and cut melons have not been identified.
We reviewed processes contributing to cantaloupe contamination, conditions affecting survival and growth of bacterial pathogens on melons, and potential methods for sanitization.
Most commonly potatoes, sometimes carrots, beetroots, onions, garlic and marrows were cultivated in the allotments, and in the south melons and watermelons.
However, melon accessions differ in their ability to germinate at low temperatures.
Although the aim of post-harvest washing is largely to remove soil and clean the melons, it may also contribute to contamination.