Submaturation

Submaturation is a term used in several disciplines to describe a state intermediate between immaturity and full maturity. Because there is no single, standardized definition, its precise meaning depends on context. The common thread is partial progression toward a mature state, with some characteristics present and others not yet achieved.

Biology and medicine: In developmental biology and clinical contexts, submaturation is used to describe tissues, organs, or organisms that have begun to acquire mature features but have not completed overall maturation. Examples include tissues showing structural organization typical of maturity while regulatory or functional capacity remains incomplete, or developmental stages where growth parameters indicate proximity to maturity but specific functions lag.

Agriculture and horticulture: In plant science, submature or semi-mature fruits and seeds may be harvested before full ripening for reasons of flavor, texture, shelf life, or transportability. Such material may continue to ripen post-harvest under controlled conditions.

Other usages: Some literature uses submaturation to describe materials undergoing maturation processes that have started but are not finished, such as partially cured polymers or composites during processing. The term is therefore context-dependent and not universally standardized.

See also: Maturation, Developmental biology, Post-harvest ripening, Immaturity