Tropical and subtropical fruits (2+1)

Harvesting and Yield

Sapota may start bearing 2nd or 3rd year but commercial yield can be obtained from 7th year onwards. Sapota takes about 7-10moths from fruitset to maturity depending upon the cultivar season and locality.
Best symptoms of maturity are

1. Milky latex on scratching will be reduced & shows an yellow streak than green streak.
2. Brown scaly material gets reduced.
3. Dried stigma at the tip of the fruit drops easily.
4. Develops dull orange or potato colour

Fruits should be harvested with stalk intact. Peak harvesting periods are Jan-Feb and May-June in Maharashtra and March-May and Sep-October in Karnataka and AP. Sapota normally produces fruit throughout the year.
Average yield will be

3 year – 100 fruits/plant/year.
5 year-250 fruits/plant/year.
7 year-700, fruits/plant/year.
8 year-800 fruits/plant/year.
10 year- 1000 fruits/plant/year.
11 year-1500 fruits/plant/year.
15 year-2000 fruits/plant/year.
30 year-2500-3000 fruits/plant/year.

Large sized cultivars like Cricket ball, Calcutta round give lower no of fruits but will be sold at higher price 15-20 tonne/ha.