Different types of maturity

Horticultural maturity

It is a developmental stage of the fruit on the tree, which will result in a satisfactory product after harvest.

Physiological maturity

It refers to the stage in the development of the fruits and vegetables when maximum growth and maturation has occurred. It is usually associated with full ripening in the fruits. The Physiological mature stage is followed by senescence.

Commercial maturity

It is the state of plant organ required by a market. It commonly bears little relation to Physiological maturity and may occur at any stage during development stage.

Harvest Maturity

It may be defined in terms of Physiological maturity and horticultural maturity, it is a stage, which will allow fruits / vegetables at its peak condition when it reaches to the consumers and develop acceptable flavour or appearance and having adequate shelf life.

Vegetables are harvested at harvest maturity stage, which will allow it to be at its peak condition when it reaches the consumer, it should be at a maturity that allows the produce to develop an acceptable flavour or appearance, it should be at a size required by the market, and should have an adequate shelf life. Time taken from pollination to horticultural maturity under warm condition, skin colour, shape, size and flavour and abscission and firmness are used to assess the maturity of the produce.