2.5. Quality attribute evaluation
After final ripening the fruit were subjectively evaluated for peel color, overall external appearance, shrivel, external flesh to seed adhesion, seed germination, seed cavity browning, flesh bruising, diffuse flesh discoloration, stem end rot, vascular browning, vascular streaking, pink stain, uneven ripening, ease of peeling, body rot, tissue breakdown and vascular leaching as previously defined (White et al., 2009). Fifteen (Tests 1A and 1B) or thirty fruit (Test 2) were evaluated for each treatment. Of those attributes, many had little or no incidence and only the ratings of those that were of consequence will be further described. Peel color referred to external color where: 1 = emerald green; 2 = forest green; 3 = 20% colored black/purple on green; 4 = 60% colored black/purple on green; 5 = purple over 100% of peel surface; 6 = black over 100% of surface area. Appearance referred to external appearance where damage in the form of external discoloration and lenticel or nodule damage was assessed. Ratings were given where: 0 = no damage; 1 = slight; 2 = approximately 25% of the fruit affected; 3 = 50% or more of the fruit affected. Pink staining was evaluated with each rating referring to the following percentages of the interior of the fruit affected: 0 = 0%; 1 = 10%; 2 = 25%; 3 = 50%. Signs of seed germination were noted in terms of incidence only, while uneven ripening and body and stem end rot were evaluated both for incidence and severity. Severity was rated using a similar 0–3 rating scale.