Abstract: 【 Objective 】To investigate the effect of ethylene factor (ERF) on the softening process of melon pulp during storage,this findings has provided reference for post-harvest storage and fresh-keeping of melon.【 Methods 】The effect of ethrel and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on the hardness, protopectin (PP), and water soluble pectin (WSP), cellulose content, enzyme activity related to cell wall metabolism, and the correlation between hardness and cell wall metabolic index of ‘Xizhoumi 25’ melon fruits during postharvest storage were studied. 【 Results 】Melon was sensitive to both ethephon and 1-MCP treatments. The results showed that 1-MCP treatment slowed down the decrease in fruit firmness, protopectin and cellulose content, and retarded the increase in soluble pectin content. The result of ethephon treatment was opposite to that of-MCP treatment. There was a negative correlation between fruit hardness and PG and Cx activities during storage and the hardness was negatively correlated with PP and cellulose, but positively correlated with WSP.【 Conclusion 】1-MCP treatment can delay the post-ripening and softening of melon fruit by regulating cell wall metabolism, prolong storage time and reduce economic loss caused by softening.