A Fuzzy Approach for Relating a Pomegranate Maturit y Index with to Solar Net Radiati

Abstract

Pomegranate fruit maturity status is commonly asse ssed based on external (skin) colour, juice colour and acidity of juice. Some res earchers have studied the correlation between the parameters of the skin colour and acidi ty, total soluble solids, citric acid and anthocyanins. This study describes the relationship existing between solar radiation and a colorimetric maturity index in the pomegranate vari etal group “Mollar de Elche”. We propose a fuzzy methodology. The aim of this kind o f study is to obtain on estimation a range of possible values that reflects reality. Usi ng this methodology four phases were obtained, in which there is no relationship between radiation and the colorimetric Maturity Index (MIc) in phases 1 and 4, but there i s such a relationship in phases 2 and 3. Fuzzy math demonstrates the positive relationship b etween radiation and MIc , confirming that fuzzy regression is appropriate for making estimations that reflect reality among variables showing a weak relationship. There is a high degree of uncertainty in the relationship between the colorimetric maturity inde x and the incident radiation. The individual values of radiation do not correspond to one sole value of MIc , but to a wide range of the same, due to several factors, such as fruit orientation, luminosity, etc. Fuzzy math reveals the positive relationship between net radiation and MIc in phases 2 and 3. All this shows that the fuzzy regression may be app ropriate for making estimations reflect reality when the variables show a weak relationship . Keywords: Colour, Fuzzy, Maturity index, Net radiation, Punica grantum .