Mechanical behavior of Deveci pear cultivar affected by maturation

The present study examines the mechanical behavior of ‘Deveci’ pear cultivar produced in Turkey in terms of harvesting periods. Penetration tests were applied to the determined sides (bloom side, lateral side and stem side) of pear fruit harvested on three different maturation dates (October 5-15-25). According to the test results, it was found that harvesting period had different effects on mechanical properties of pears. Decrease was found in rupture force, rupture energy, deformation and firmness values of pears as the harvest date progressed. Rupture force values were as 52.69, 45.56 and 41.95 N in the first, second and third harvesting dates, respectively. Deformation was 5.57 in the first harvesting date and as 5.12 mm in the third harvesting date. The present study showed that firmness values of mature pear fruit were less. Firmness value was 9.59 N/mm in the first harvesting date and 8.09 N/mm in the third harvesting date. The highest firmness value was found on the stem side of pears.