Evolution of harvest time indicators on 'Tommy Atkins' mango fruit during growth and maturation at São Francisco River Valley conditions, Brazil.
Lima M. A. C. de, Silva A. L. da, Azevedo S. S. N.
Author Affiliation: Laboratório de Fisiologia Pós-colheita - Centro de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Trópico Semi-Árido/CPATSA - Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária/EMBRAPA Semi-Árido - Rodovia Br 428, Km 152 - Zona Rural - Cx. P. 23 - 56302-970 - Pet
Ciência e Agrotecnologia 33 : 432-439
Abstract : A study was conducted to characterize the evolution of the main harvest time indicators in mango fruit during growth and maturation in São Francisco River Valley, Pernambuco, Brazil. At fruit set stage, 48 plants uniformly distributed on 4 rows were selected from a commercial orchard. From these plants, 600 fruits were selected at the development stage known as egg (40 mm in diameter), which were verified at 52 days after fruit set (DAFS). Periodically, until the complete ripening on the plant, fruit samples were collected, corresponding to their age, at 52, 64, 72, 83, 92, 99, 106, 113, 120, 125, 128, 133 and 139 DAFS. Changes in pulp colour from 99 DAFS on and in firmness were the indicators that offered the best characterization of the beginning of maturation on mango fruits and they should be accompanied by fruit sampling in the field. Changes in titratable acidity and contents of soluble solids and total pulp carotenoids were also indicative of the maturity evolution. The pulp of ripe mango fruit showed maximum SS content and ascorbic acid and total carotenoid contents lower than those of fruits at the beginning of maturation.