MATURITY OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

a) Banana

The fruit is harvested when the ridges on the surface of skin change from angularity to round i.e. after the attainment of 3% full stages. Dwarf banana are ready for harvest within 11-14 months after planting while tall cultivars takes about 14-16 months to harvest. Peel colour change from dark green to light green the remaining style ends were dry, and brittle and fruits were less angular in shape.

b) Guava

TSS acid ratio, specific gravity and colour are determined the maturity in guava. For e.g.

Allahabad safeda – 35.81

Apple colour guava – 26.39

Chittidar guava – 28.13

Lucknow – 49 -34.25

Specific gravity – Less than I

Colour – Light green to yellow.

c) Ber

In ber maturity is judged by colour (yellow), specific gravity (less than 1) and TSS

d) Pomegranate

Sugar percentage should be 12-16% and acid percentage 1.5—2.5%, variety Ganesh harvest when seed colour becomes pink. In this stage TSS 12.5% and sugar acid ratio 19.5%.

e) Bael

It takes one year for fruiting after flowering. It is the fruit which ripen after one year of flowering. April start harvesting and may end it start in flowering.

f) Mango

This can be judged when one or two mangoes ripen on the tree are fall on the ground of their own accord. This process of fallen is known as tapaca specific gravity 1,01—1.02 and TSS 10-14%.