Identification of Harvest Maturity Indicators for 'Hass' Avocado Adaptable to Field Conditions

'Hass' avocado (Persea americana) is a fruit in high demand in international markets, and Colombia is expanding its export to the United States. Avocado quality and shelf life are related to its harvest time. However, there is not enough information on harvest indicators in Colombia that allow producers to adequately harvest fruit to comply with market requirements. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate maturity indicators during two harvest periods. We harvested fruit between the years 2016 and 2017 in eight farms distributed in three regions of the Department of Antioquia, Colombia, and selected those in the postanthesis stages. We assessed variables such as fruit color, weight, dimensions, oil content (OC), and dry matter (DM). The results were analyzed using simple and multiple regressions as well as by principal component analysis (PCA). The results showed a high linear relation between DM and OC (R-2 >= 78.88) and a significant relation between OC, rainfall, fruit development time, and environmental temperature. Nondestructive indicators that allow the establishment of DM in the field (R-2 >= 73.57) varied according to the region and included fruit color (L*, b*), volume (P <= 0.05), and fruit development time. These indicators could reduce maturity heterogeneity during the harvest period.