Physical and mechanical properties of berries and biological features of red currant growth for mechanized harvesting

Abstract

The physical and mechanical parameters of berries and the morphometric features of the structure of the bush growth habit are important criteria in predicting the use of berry harvesting equipment. In this research, six red currant cultivars have been studied. The berry separation force, the crushing force, and the strength of attachment of the berries to the stalk were assigned to the physical and mechanical parameters and were determined using the "PLODTEST-1" and "Dina-2" devices (Russia). For the optimal operation of the berry harvester, the crushing force of the berries must be more than 2 N, the berry separation force must be in the range of 0.5–1.5 N. A high correlation between the separation and crushing forces was determined (R = 0.71). During the period of technical maturity, the strength of the attachment of the berries in the raceme was more than 0.5 N and, by the end of maturation, this indicator decreased. Most of the studied cultivars have a compact, optimal bush volume. The red currant cultivars Niva, Asya and Vika are promising for mechanised harvesting.

Identification of Technological Effectiveness for Mechanized Harvesting of Red Currant Cultivars Based on Bush Morphology and Mechanical Fruit Parameters

“…The limiting properties include the zone of berries placement in the bush's crown, simultaneous ripening (at least 90%), tearing the berries from the cluster, and the effort to crush the berries. The non-limiting but essential features that ensure the formation of an optimal complex of a technological currant cultivar include the following: the shape of the bush from erected to slightly spreading; the absence of flat branches on the bush; the diameter of branches at the base; the height of plants; the duration of the period of removable maturity, the resistance of branches to mechanical damage, the minimum percentage of death of branches [31,32]. The creation of technological cultivars requires the analysis of the most critical parameters of the bush, which are related to the formation of the assortment suitable for the mechanization of all processes from plant care to harvesting.…”

Effect of Ozonation on the Mechanical, Chemical, and Microbiological Properties of Organically Grown Red Currant (Ribes rubrum L.) Fruit

“…Stress on red currant plants caused by abiotic factors, for example, water shortages or too low or high average daily air temperature during the growing season, significantly affects the chemical composition of the fruit, including the content of ascorbic acid or polyphenolic compounds [ 4 ]. The mechanical harvesting of red currant fruit not only results in a significant reduction in the costs associated with manual harvesting but also in the speed and efficiency of the combined harvest conducted, which is influenced by the method of plantation management, the size of the bushes, the height of berries in the crown, and the selection of varieties with an even ripening time and the relative ease of fruit detachment [ 5 ]. Mechanical damage (including abrasion, bruising, or crushing) occurs during the harvesting, transport, and processing of the fruit, which may even result in the elimination of a batch of raw material from the market [ 6 ].…”

Formation when using interspecific crossings in the Ribesia subgenus

“…For further development of breeding work, it is necessary to expand the spectrum of genetic variability of the source material [2,3]. The probability of obtaining heterotic hybrids increases with increase of the values of genetic distances between parental components [4,5,6]. Distant hybridization serves as an impetus that causes a formative process, because of which organisms arise with new properties absent in the parental forms.…”

“…Wulf., R. multiflorum Kit. [15,16,17,18]. Single varieties are obtained on the basis of R. palczewskii (Jancz.)…”