Developing a Mechanized Harvesting and Production System for Erect Blackberries1

Abstract

The development of a mechanical harvester for erect blackberries is traced from its inception to commercialization. The harvesting and production system tested in this study required productive, erect cultivars that are mechanically pruned to form continuous hedgerows. An acceptable processed product is obtained from the system.

Influence of Mechanical Harvesting on Quality of Small Fruits and Grapes

“…Research on mechanical harvesting of cane fruits has been con ducted at several locations in the United States, Canada, and Europe, and the majority of such research has been on red raspberries and blackberries (11,21,22,26,27,36,40,42,51,52,55,67,70,79).…”

“…The design and subsequent developments in the cane fruit har vester developed at the University of Arkansas (40,41,42,55,67,70) exploit fruit abscission as the basis of harvesting. This harvester utilizes a shaking mechanism to remove the fruits from the canes.…”

“…Machine-harvested berries are larger and have a higher percentage of total soluble solids, lower acidity, and superior color than do hand-harvested berries. Processed berries that have been machineharvested have been rated superior to hand-harvested berries for wholeness, flavor, and color (67). Booster and Bullock (11) have also reported that mechanically harvested blackberries have higher total soluble solids than do hand-harvested fruit.…”

“…A mechanized pruner has been developed which not only reduces the labor required for pruning, but also properly shapes the hedgerow for maximum harvesting efficiency of erect cane fruits (69). Mechanical pruning and leaving old canes in the hedgerow did not result in lower yields or quality (67).…”