Developing a Mechanized System for Production, Harvesting and Handling of Strawberries1

Abstract

A completely mechanized system for production, harvesting and handling strawberries (Fragaria × anassa Duch.) for processing is described. Pre-harvest cultural factors, including bed preparation, plant population, harvest date and clonal evaluation and adaptability to mechanical harvesting, were studied for 4 years. ‘Cardinal’, ‘Earlibelle’, and Arkansas breeding line A-5344 were well suited for once-over mechanical harvesting under Arkansas conditions considering yield, quality, and organoleptic evaluation. Plant population densities in the matted row system used in this study generally had little effect on yield or quality, unless a clone was of low vigor and poor runner plant producer. As harvest date was delayed, quality and useable yield often decreased. However, a minimum of a 6 day harvest period for mechanical harvesting existed for the cultivars tested. The results of this study indicate that once-over mechanical harvesting of strawberries is feasible when the proper cultivar is grown on properly shaped beds with good cultural practices and adequate postharvest handling procedures.

Influence of Mechanical Harvesting on Quality of Small Fruits and Grapes

“…Several harvesting principles were evaluated in the process of developing a mechanical harvester for strawberries at the University of Arkansas (43,63,74,75,76,77). One approach included cutting or clipping fruit from the plant, but a majority of the large fruit was not harvested since they were on the ground.…”

“…Work at the University of Arkansas has shown that certain straw berry clones (e.g., 'Cardinal' and A-5344) are more adapted to machine harvesting, cleaning, and sorting without loss of quality (63,64,66,68,76,77). These cultivars have concentrated ripening patterns and firm fruit.…”

“…These cultivars have concentrated ripening patterns and firm fruit. Each cultivar also has an optimal time of harvest, after which quality and/or usable yield will decrease (63,64,66,68,72,76). Most cultivars suited for machine harvesting in Arkansas have a 5-to 6-day optimal period for a once-over harvest (63,68).…”

“…One of the most objectionable aspects of machine-harvested straw berries is the presence of green fruit from once-over harvests. Inplant equipment has been developed with the capability of separating berries into distinct maturity classes (63,64,66,68,76,77). Many immature fruit can be sorted from mature fruit on the basis of differences in berry size.…”

“…Many immature fruit can be sorted from mature fruit on the basis of differences in berry size. Sorting can be done on the in-plant cleaning line with a tapered-finger, continous sizer (63,64,68,76,77). Percentages of mature and immature berries obtained by sorting them into small (mostly green and inception) and large (mostly ripe) categories depends upon cultivar and harvest date.…”