Drs. Samuel Salazar, Adriana Mellado Vázquez and Jorge Osuna fruits researchers of INIFAP’s Santiago Ixcuintla Field Station, and Dr. Arturo Cruz, Director of Planning at INIFAP showing avocados collected at a field site in Nayarit.

Dr. Jorge Osuna in his laboratory at Santiago Ixcluintla, explains the fundamentals of the hyper-spectral imaging protocol and analyzer to measure optimal avocado harvest time.

The scientist collects hundreds of fruits to determine the exact harvest time using a hyper-spectral imaging protocol and analyzer, aiming at improving post-harvest handling of these fruits.

Generally, the fruits are picked once they reach maturity. Mexican growers pick Hass-variety avocados when they have more than 23% dry matter which is measured by weighing the fruits a process that destroys considerable number of avocados.

Laboratory staff in INIFAP’s Santiago Ixcuintla Research Station measure dry matter of avocado samples.

Dr. Priscila Henríquez accompanied by Dr. Arturo Cruz, Samuel Salazar and Adriana Mellado Vázquez of INIFAP. The researchers hope to use the same technology being developed with avocados also to determine optimal harvest time of mangoes.