Maturity Stage (Horticultural Harvesting) of Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) Fruits in Taif Area of Saudi Arabia@@@مرحلة اكتمال النمو لثمار التين الشوكي ( البرشومي) المنزرعة بمنطقة الطائف بالمملكة العربية السعودية

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine stage of maturity of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) fruits in EI-Taif (AI Hada) area. Saudi Arabia. during 1989-1990 seasons. The physical and chemical fruit characters studied were: fruit length, diameter, weight, size, pulp weight, the percentage of pulp weight of total fruit weight, weight of fruit coat, the total soluble solids (TSS), acidity and the percentage ofTSS to acidity and moisture content. The results indicated that under El-Taif environment prickly pear fruits are considered mature and withstand handling and marketing operations after 77-84 days from fruit setting.