• Physiological maturity: It is the stage when a fruit is capable of further development or ripening when it is harvested i.e. ready for eating or processing.
• Horticultural maturity: It refers to the stage of development when plant and plant part possesses the pre-requisites for use by consumers for a particular purpose i.e. ready for harvest.
Importance of maturity indices:
• Ensure sensory quality (flavour, colour, aroma, texture) and nutritional quality.
• Ensure an adequate postharvest shelf life.
• Facilitate scheduling of harvest and packing operations.
• Facilitate marketing over the phone or through internet.