What is considered damage due to "other causes" for artichokes if waste by volume is 10%?

In the context of determining what constitutes damage due to "other causes" for artichokes when waste by volume is at 10%, size variation is the correct answer because it encompasses factors that might not be classified strictly as physical damage or deterioration.

Size variation may not necessarily relate to typical damage scenarios but refers to inconsistency in the size of the produce, which can result in aesthetic as well as market value issues. This is significant in the context of commodity regulations, as uniformity is often expected in commercial produce.

Loss of color and physical injury, while affecting the quality of artichokes, typically fall under more clearly defined categories of damage that are usually addressed separately in agricultural standards. Excessive waste might indicate a problem but does not directly specify the underlying cause of damage relating to the size of the produce.

Thus, size variation can be seen as a type of damage resulting from cultivation practices or environmental factors, which is often categorized as “other causes” when assessing the overall quality of artichokes.