Determination of Optimum Harvest Maturity Index for Pawpaw (Carica papaya) Produced in Ondo State

Pawpaw (Carica papaya) is a commercially important fruit crop in South West Nigeria, and improper harvesting at incorrect maturity stages leads to significant post-harvest quality loss and reduced market value. Establishing a reliable harvest maturity index is critical for guiding farmers, marketers, and processors toward optimal product quality. This study determines the optimum harvest maturity index for pawpaw produced in Akure, Ondo State, by evaluating physical, chemical, and sensory quality attributes across five harvest maturity stages (100%, 75%, 50%, 25% yellow, and fully yellow). Fruits were sampled from three randomly selected orchards and evaluated for skin color score, flesh firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, and consumer acceptability. A completely randomized design with three replications was applied. Results indicate that fruits harvested at the 25% yellow maturity stage demonstrated optimal quality attributes including acceptable firmness, appropriate sugar development, and high consumer acceptability scores. Fruits harvested at full yellow stage were overly soft with reduced shelf life potential. The study recommends the 25% yellow maturity stage as the optimum harvest index for pawpaw destined for markets within Ondo State and neighboring states. These findings support improved post-harvest management along the pawpaw value chain in South West Nigeria. Keywords: pawpaw, harvest maturity index, Carica papaya, post-harvest quality, Ondo State