Determining the ideal time to harvest avocados is crucial to avoid problems such as uneven ripening and the additional costs associated with rearranging the fruit.

Currently, producers rely on dry matter content for export, with a minimum requirement of 21.5%. However, researchers at the La Molina Agrarian University have proposed an alternative method for evaluating the maturity of Hass avocados.

The study, led by Sergio Leguia-Vargas and Guillermo Jose Parodi, focused on color change at the top of the fruit as an indicator of maturity. They observed the relationship between pigmentation, color changes, and lenticel coverage at the avocado's apex. The results suggest that a lenticel coverage of 6.7% to 7.6% could indicate a dry matter level of 22% to 23%, considered optimal for harvest.

This could revolutionize harvesting practices, as it would provide a visual guide for more accurately selecting ripe fruit. This would ensure uniform ripening after harvest, improving the quality of the final product and reducing post-harvest costs.

Source: Agricultural Network