About Lesson
Physiological maturity
- It is the stage at which the plant has attained maximum dry weight
- At this stage, it will not benefit from additional growth inputs
- To realize the potential yield of a crop that has been well cultivated, it should be harvested at the right time, using the appropriate methods, and then stored under optimal conditions
- If crops are not harvested at right time, their quality may not be acceptable to consumers
- A fresh produce may be too fibrous or not succulent enough or it may taste bitter if not harvested at the proper time
- In some crops such as green beans, consumers prefer a tender product and hence growers harvest beans before they are fully mature