Evaluation of maturity indices in Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa Chev.)

Time of kiwifruit harvest affects the long-term storage potential. Harvesting of kiwifruit crop is difficult because of the lack of visible changes in colour, size or shape associated with the maturity. Fruits of Hayward and Allison were harvested at weekly intervals commencing approximately one month before to two weeks after the anticipated harvest dates of each cultivar during 1999 and 2000. In the present investigations, fruit firmness, total soluble solids, total sugars, reducing sugar content and days from full bloom to harvest were found to be the reliable indices of maturity in Hayward and Allison. The optimum harvest maturity under Bajaura conditions of Himachal Pradesh was observed from 4^th to 11^th November in cultivar Hayward and from October 28^th to 4^th November in cultivar Allison.