 
Harvesting Method
1. Most Thai durian is harvested at 80-90% physiological
maturity. It takes 5 - 10 days to ripen, thus it can be stored
for longer. This also lengthens the distribution time, which
gives leeway for the grower to make a bargain, and allows for
export to more distant countries. During storage and transportation,
the fruit will continue to ripen until reaching its destination.
2. Fruit harvested at the fully mature stage will be overripe
when reaching its destination. The overripe fruit is regarded
as inferior quality. The fruit will be split and the pulp mushy,
commanding a low price as the quality is rejected by the consumer.
Generally, Thai consumers prefer ripe, not overripe.
3. Harvesters normally work in pairs, one on the tree choosing
the mature fruit. Using a sharp and clean knife he cuts the
fruit from the tree, leaving about 10 cm of stem attached to
the fruit, then drops it to the catcher below. The common method
is to catch it with a jute bag to prevent it from dropping directly
on the ground. This way is fast but requires reasonable skill
because of the risk of breaking the stem or letting the fruit
hit the ground, which causes bruising.
4. After harvesting, the durian should not be placed directly
on the floor but put in a container, e.g. a plastic or bamboo
basket. This is to guard against fungal infection, which can
cause rotting during transportation and distribution.
5. In Malaysia and Indonesia , the overripe fruit is harvested
by allowing it to drop naturally and collecting it on a day-to-day
basis. To prevent it from falling on the ground, the grower
will tie the durian to a branch so that when the fruit falls
it will be caught on the cord. However, Thais consider fruit
harvested this way as being overripe and inferior.
Yield
The initial yield may be 10 - 40 fruits for the first year of
fruiting, to about 100 fruits for the sixth year. A yield of
up to 200 fruits is common after the 10th year of fruiting.
| Source
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www.tropical-seeds.com
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www.dit.go.th/english/durian/harvest.htm, |
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http://agrolink.moa.my/comoditi/durian/durian.html
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