Department of Seed Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-3.
1Part of M. Sc. (Ag) Thesis approved by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
The length, girth, circumference, fresh weight and volume of fruit as measured at 5 days interval varied significantly due to the position of the fruits in a plant. Maximum increase in the above parameters was between 5th and 10th day while maximum reduction occurred between 30th and 35th day. The fruits, generally recorded the maximum weight and volume on the 15th day while that of length, girth and circumference on 20th day. The fruits started dehiscing with the formation of cracks along the ridges by 35th day after anthesis, when the seeds have reached the harves-table maturity.
