A Proposed Alternative Production Regime for Cherry and Grape Tomato Using Compact Plants and Once-over Harvest

Abstract

<jats:p>This report presents preliminary data and arguments supporting the investigation and possible adoption of a low-cost method of cherry and grape tomato (<jats:italic>Solanum lycopersicum</jats:italic>) production. Cherry and grape tomato crops are currently grown using indeterminate or relatively large determinate plants requiring trellising and significant hand labor at harvest. In contrast, processing tomato crops are usually determinate cultivars raised without supporting systems, and they are harvested mechanically. In Summer 2009, a Mississippi trial of home garden tomato cultivars included a compact, mounding yellow-fruited cherry tomato that produced more than 2 kg of fruit per plant in the first harvest. The architecture of the plant, high yield potential, and concentrated set indicate that there is potential to grow commercial cherry and grape tomato crops in much the same way commercial processing tomatoes are grown: unsupported on bare or mulched beds, with once-over harvest. Such a system could reduce the monetary and labor costs of production of cherry and grape tomatoes. Seed companies, tomato growers, and supporting agencies should work together to further investigate the potential of this system of cherry and grape tomato production.</jats:p>

Study on Mechanical Properties of Tomatoes for the End-Effector Design of the Harvesting Robot

“…The majority of tomato harvesting in China is carried out manually, which constitutes roughly 50-60% of total production costs. Manual harvesting, grading, and packaging procedures are not only complicated and ineffective but also prone to causing damage to the fruit during handling, which ultimately affects the quality of tomatoes [4][5][6][7]. Agricultural robotics has emerged as a novel research direction within greenhouse environments, with improved controllability compared to outdoor cultivation.…”