Abstract

Jesus Martinez de la Cerda *, Adriana Gutierrez Diez , Juan C. Rodríguez Ortiz and Eduardo A. Garcia Zambran

This study was conducted during the 2004 - 2005 production year on an 8 year grapefruit (Citrus paradasi Macf.) grove in the locality of “Las Anacuas” of the municipality of general Teran, N. L. Mexico. The objective of the study was to obtain elements based on fruit weight, internal and external quality of grapefruit and its interaction with prices, so that producers can determine the best time to sell their fruit. Results indicated that the best time for harvest, based on fruit weight was in April. It was also determined that if grapefruit is sold in November, producers lose 28% of the yield compared with April, because of the difference in fruit weight. After May, fruit begin to lose weight and internal and external quality deteriorates. With the information obtained, producers can select the optimum time to commercialize their grapefruit. Regarding internal fruit quality for fresh market, grapefruit reaches good quality by November.