Maturity indices of vegetable crops

a) Radish and carrot: Large enough and crispy

b) Potato, onion and garlic: Tops beginning to dry and topple clown

c) Yams, bean and ginger: Large enough

d) Cowpea, snap bean, sweet pea, winged bean: Well filled pods that snap readily

e) Lima bean and pigeon pea: Well filled pods that are beginning to lose their greenness.

f) Okra: Desirable size reached and the tips of which can be snapped readily

g) Snake gourd: Desirable size reached and thumbnail can still penetrate flesh readily

h) Eggplant, bitter gourd, slicing cucumber: Desirable size reached but still tender

i) Tomato: Seeds slipping when fruit is cut, or green colour turning pink

j) Muskmelon: Easily separated from vine with a slight twist leaving clean cavity (full slip stage).

k) Watermelon: Dull hollow sound when thumped

l) Cauliflower: Curd compact

m) Broccoli: Bud cluster compact