Developmental changes in maturity indices of pomegranate fruit: A descriptive review

• Coordinated physiological and biochemical changes occur during pomegranate fruit development.
• Studies show the effects of cultivar difference, growing region and maturity status on fruit maturity indices.
• Research studies on the development of a workable science-based maturity index for pomegranate cultivars are required.

During pomegranate fruit development, advancing maturity stages correspond to a number of coordinated physiological, biochemical, and structural processes that result in changes in size, colour and flavour, ultimately making the fruit desirable for consumption. Optimum fruit maturity is crucial for maintaining high total soluble sugar (TSS) content, good colour and overall fruit quality. Literature on quality indices of pomegranate fruit at commercial harvest is voluminous, but research on changes that occur during fruit developmental processes in terms of physico-chemical, physiological and sensory aspects also needs to be taken into consideration for the development of optimum maturity index for pomegranate cultivars. A few studies have reported on the effects of cultivar difference, growing region and maturity status on fruit harvest maturity and eating quality. This review attempts to discuss current knowledge on the changes which occur in fruit maturity indices during development of pomegranate cultivars.