When to Harvest Fruits and Vegetables

When to Harvest Fruits and Vegetables

Still in my postharvest handling subject, fruits and vegetables should be harvested at mature stage, hence an indication of the readiness of the plants for harvest should be considered. The proper stage of maturity can be determined by various signs such as change in color like dark green to light green in mandarin; green to tinge of yellow in papaya; bright green to dull green in avocados; or by change in shape like the disappearance of angles in banana fingers, or fullness of cheeks in mangoes.

Fruits and vegetables do not keep very long once harvested so they have to be given proper care in order to maintain their quality and good appearance, and hence demand higher price in the market. These commodities are perishable and shall be handled properly from the field to the final consumers. It therefore starts with proper harvesting.

Care in harvesting and handling is necessary to preserve subsequent quality of fruits and vegetables. Bruises, cuts and mechanical injuries serve as avenues for the entry of decay causing microorganisms. Moreover, respiration is increased markedly by these damages. Storage life is therefore shortened.

So we have to be very careful with our produce or commodity to have it long and make sure that the commodity is harvest at its mature stage to prevent spoilage.