Applying New Technologies to Transform Blueberry Harvesting

Takeda, Fumiomi; Yang, Wei Qiang; Li, Changying; Freivalds, Andris; Sung, Ki-Seok; Xu, Rui; Hu, Bo; Williamson, Jeffrey G.; Sargent, Steven A.

doi:10.3390/agronomy7020033

Cited by 35 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Controlled impact tests that simulated mechanical harvest of currently grown SHB cultivars found cultivar differences in susceptibility to bruising; 'Farthing' (used in the present study) was moderately susceptible to bruising from single impacts of 60 or 120 cm onto a hard surface, while impacts onto a cushioning pad reduced bruise incidence by about 2/3 for both drop heights [8]. Other factors reported to contribute to higher packout rates include specialized pruning practices, and availability of cultivars with firmer fruit and with longer pedicels that facilitate better contact with the harvester (reducing the amount of red and green fruit removed during harvest) [11,15]. Two previous studies demonstrated the critical role of soft catch surfaces in reducing bruising in SHB blueberries [9,11].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Other factors reported to contribute to higher packout rates include specialized pruning practices, and availability of cultivars with firmer fruit and with longer pedicels that facilitate better contact with the harvester (reducing the amount of red and green fruit removed during harvest) [11,15]. Two previous studies demonstrated the critical role of soft catch surfaces in reducing bruising in SHB blueberries [9,11]. Handheld, pneumatic shakers were used to harvest blueberries that were collected in a portable frame (W = 1.0 m by L = 1.5 m) with a net fabric or neoprene sheet fabric stretched across the frame.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies with 'Meadowlark' and 'Farthing', two SHB cultivars from the University of Florida blueberry breeding program, have shown the potential for repeated harvests by commercial harvesters instead of hand harvest [5,7,8].The use of harvest aids such as handheld shakers is a low-cost option compared to more costly OTR harvesters, and handheld shakers were shown to reduce labor costs by increasing blueberry harvest efficiency [9,10]. Takeda et al [11] found that harvesting blueberries with handheld shakers in conjunction with a portable, soft catch surface frame resulted in less bruise damage than commercial OTR harvesters. However, the ergonomics of using unsupported, handheld shakers while standing on the ground was a concern as the weight, vibration and extended use could lead to musculoskeletal disorders and, without any mechanical fruit conveyance system on the portable harvesting frame, the overall harvest efficiency did not improve over hand harvesting [11,12].In 2017, further tests were conducted in Florida, California, Oregon, and Washington to harvest blueberries with an OTR harvester (Oxbo 7240, Oxbo International, Lynden, WA USA) with several key modifications: (1) a platform with two heights was installed on each side of the OTR harvester between the front and rear wheel wells for human operators to stand on and work the shaker while looking down at the bush, (2) the handheld shakers were suspended from the overhead frame of the OTR harvester.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Takeda et al [11] found that harvesting blueberries with handheld shakers in conjunction with a portable, soft catch surface frame resulted in less bruise damage than commercial OTR harvesters. However, the ergonomics of using unsupported, handheld shakers while standing on the ground was a concern as the weight, vibration and extended use could lead to musculoskeletal disorders and, without any mechanical fruit conveyance system on the portable harvesting frame, the overall harvest efficiency did not improve over hand harvesting [11,12].In 2017, further tests were conducted in Florida, California, Oregon, and Washington to harvest blueberries with an OTR harvester (Oxbo 7240, Oxbo International, Lynden, WA USA) with several key modifications: (1) a platform with two heights was installed on each side of the OTR harvester between the front and rear wheel wells for human operators to stand on and work the shaker while looking down at the bush, (2) the handheld shakers were suspended from the overhead frame of the OTR harvester. The shaker to be operated from the higher platforms had a 1-m-long handle and the shaker to be operated from the lower platforms had a 0.5-m-long handle, (3) the hard polycarbonate catch plates were replaced with soft fruit catch plates [13] on one side of the harvester by the harvester manufacturer, and (4) intermediate soft sheets were installed over the rigid conveyor as described in a recent companion article by DeVetter et al [14].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The use of harvest aids such as handheld shakers is a low-cost option compared to more costly OTR harvesters, and handheld shakers were shown to reduce labor costs by increasing blueberry harvest efficiency [9,10]. Takeda et al [11] found that harvesting blueberries with handheld shakers in conjunction with a portable, soft catch surface frame resulted in less bruise damage than commercial OTR harvesters. However, the ergonomics of using unsupported, handheld shakers while standing on the ground was a concern as the weight, vibration and extended use could lead to musculoskeletal disorders and, without any mechanical fruit conveyance system on the portable harvesting frame, the overall harvest efficiency did not improve over hand harvesting [11,12].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Harvest of Southern Highbush Blueberry with a Modified, Over-The-Row Mechanical Harvester: Use of Handheld Shakers and Soft Catch Surfaces

et al. 2019

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Fresh market southern highbush blueberries are typically hand-harvested which requires an extensive labor force over a relative short period of time. With rising production costs and labor availability issues, interest in mechanical harvesting options is increasing. In 2017, an over-the-row (OTR) harvester was modified to reduce purchase cost while making hand labor more efficient. The picking heads were removed and dual worker stations were added on each side of the unit. Handheld olive shakers were suspended at each station. Experimental catch plates were installed on one side of the OTR harvester and soft, inclined surfaces over the rigid conveyors on both sides. 'Meadowlark' and 'Farthing' blueberries were harvested with this system and compared to those manually harvested by a commercial harvest crew. Samples from each harvest method were then commercially cooled and mechanically harvested fruit were commercially packed to determine packout data. Fruit firmness, bruise severity and composition were determined after one day at room temperature (22 • C) and after seven and fourteen days of storage at 1 • C. Average packout was very high for mechanically harvested fruit, 87% for 'Meadowlark' and 91% for 'Farthing'. Initial firmness of both cultivars was lower for mechanically harvested fruit (208 g/mm) than hand-harvested fruit (243 g/mm). Fruit from the three treatments softened during storage, and although 'Meadowlark' remained firmer than 'Farthing' during storage, there were no differences due to catch surfaces. Hand-harvested fruit had no severe bruising (>20% of cut surface area) at harvest, increasing to 2% after seven days, while mechanically harvested fruit from both fruit collection surfaces had 3% initial severe bruising that increased to 22% during storage. 'Farthing' had slightly higher soluble solids content and significantly higher total titratable acidity compared to 'Meadowlark'. Additional modifications must be made to the next-generation OTR harvester to further reduce blueberry harvest and handling impacts.Agriculture 2020, 10, 4 2 of 15 shipments of blueberries from Mexico into the United States during this early season is reducing wholesale prices received by Florida blueberry growers. From 2009 to 2016, U.S. blueberry exports have remained flat (approximately 18,145 metric tons), while U.S. imports during that same period almost tripled [2]. SHB cultivars have historically been softer than northern highbush blueberry (NHB) (V. corymbosum) cultivars, limiting SHB to hand-harvest for fresh market. SHB are only mechanically harvested during the latter part of the season when it is no longer economical to harvest by hand. Mechanically harvested fruit may either go to the fresh or processed market depending on the cultivar and condition of the fruit. To reduce labor costs, blueberry growers in Florida, in other production areas across the United States and in major blueberry producing countries (e.g., Australia, Canada, Chile, and Poland), are increasingly showing interest in adopting mechanic...

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