ChileanJAR

The ripeness of fruit at the time of the harvest constitutes one of the decisive factors in its quality and period of conservation. The objective of this research was to determine the most adequate harvest indexes for peaches (Prunus persica L.) cvs. Flordaking and San Pedro 16-33. Acidity decreased significantly, and there was no increment in soluble solids, which is associated with a loss in flavor. Of the harvest indexes evaluated, the more representative of maturity were the a* value [CIE (1976) L*a*b*] and the firmness, the latter with values of 5.89 kg in Flordaking and 4.98 kg in San Pedro 16-33, respectively, to assure continued ripening of the picked fruit. Correlation and determination coefficients between firmness and ground color in the greenest and the most yellow skin portions were calculated.