Maturity Assessment of Different Fruits and Vegetables

Maturity Assessment of Fruits and Vegetables are basically measures to determine the stage of maturity at which crop is to be harvested. It is basically post harvested Technology. It is the last stage after crop production. Vegetables and fruits are stored after harvesting by using different ways.
Following are the measures that help in the assessment of maturity.

• Skin Color:

          Skin color is actually a basic measure to find out fruit maturity. Some fruits like mangoes                   oranges and papaya are hit listed. But there are some other fruits and vegetables which do not             change their color like apple, chilli, peaches and tomatoes.

• Optical Method:

         Light transmission properties can be used to measure the degree of maturity of fruits. It                      depends on chlorophyll content of fruit. It is reduced during maturation. A sensor measures                  light emitted from fruit which is proportional to chlorophyll content and thus maturity content.

• Shape:

        Shape of fruit may also change at the stage of maturity. Like Banana becomes more rounded in           cross-sections and less angular as it develops on plant.

• Size:

         Changes in the size of crop is also a sign of maturity. Like as mangoes are very small in size in          the early stages. As the fruits start to mature its size increase.

• Aroma:

       Aroma of fruits is also a basic of maturity measure. As fruit moves toward maturity a sweet                smell starts to develop in fruit.

Following is the list of different fruits along with their signs of maturity.

1. Orange:
    Orange is a winter season fruit. As orange move towards maturity its color turns from green to           orange. Further the taste turns from bitter to sweet. It takes almost 210 to 240 days for an orange to     get fully mature. Fruits become soft from hard.

2. Mango:

  Mango generally require  95 to 115 days for maturity. Building of shoulders and a slight depression    near the stalk end indicates maturity of fruit. Color of fruit changes from dark green to pale green.      Red blush develops on the fruit of shoulders. 

3. Banana:

  Banana requires 11 to 14 months after planting to harvest. When ridges on their surfaces changes   from angular to round. The dried parts of fruits drop off easily. Top most leaves dried as a sign of   maturity. Color of fruit changes from dark green to pale green.

4. Papaya:

    Papaya requires about 125 to 140 days from flowering to maturity. Color of fruit changes from           green to pale green or yellowish. Portion of fruit exposed to sunlight becomes dark yellow in color.     T.S.S at harvest should be minimum 6 %.

Now list of different vegetables along with their signs of maturity is listed below.

1. Potato:

  Potatoes are harvested when they attain sufficient size. Early varieties require 57 to 100 days and        late varieties require 120 to 160 days. Skin slipping from the tuber, starch content and leaf                    senescence or top drying are the harvest indices.

2. Cucumber:

   Fruits are ready to harvest within 45 to 55 days after sowing. In cucumber proper stage of maturity     is determined by size not by age. For slicing cucumber should be picked when it is 15 to 35 cm           long. In general the cucumber should be picked before the yellowish texture appears.

3. Chili:

  Green chili are harvested when they are fully matured and just before they turned from green to red.    For drying purpose their colors should be changed from green to red. Moisture content drop to            minimum level for red chilies. 

4. Spinach:

   Spinach is a winter season crop. It is hardy to frost and light freeze. 45 days are required for the           stage of its harvesting. Leafs must be fully developed. Its storage life is between 10 to 14 days.