FACTORS AFFECTING UNEVEN FRUIT RIPENING IN 'MON-THONG' DURIAN

Abstract

Uneven fruit ripening is often found in 'Mon-Thong' durian. This defect cannot be detected from external appearance and its cause is unknown. It has been suggested that harvesting too early and leaf flushing during fruit growth were perhaps the most probable causes of the problem. To evaluate whether maturity stages were related to uneven fruit ripening, 'Mon-Thong' durians were harvested at 106 and 113 days after anthesis (DAA). The 106 DAA fruits were found to have the higher score of uneven fruit ripening, as well as the higher variation in pulp firmness and soluble solids concentration compared to those harvested at 113 DAA. In addition, to determine whether competition for assimilates between the fruit and other developing parts, such as flushing leaves, was also related to uneven fruit ripening, bearing durian trees were shaded by 50%, using saran nets for 3 weeks during 92-112 DAA. It was found that the fruits from shaded trees, harvested at 113 DAA, had higher uneven fruit ripening characteristics than those from the control trees.