Physico-chemical changes during development of safeda guava fruit.

Guava fruits of the variety Safeda (Allahabad) \nwere examined at 10-day intervals during \ninitial growth and at 5-day intervals \nduring ripening in 1964-66 for physical \nand chemical changes during development. \nThe period from fruit set to full ripe stage \nwas covered. The growth curve as shown \nby fruit weight was of sigmoid type. Fruit \nlength-width ratio, specific gravity, colour \nand firmness showed marked changes \nduring development. Soluble solids, sugars, \ntitratable acidity, ascorbic acid and total \npectins showed peaks just before fruit drop. \nAll chemical constituents showed consistent \npatterns of change during fruit development \nsuggesting several discrete physiological \nstages; viz., prematuration, maturation, \nripening and senescence.