Mechanical Olive Harvest: Use of Fruit Loosening Agents

Olive removal with pneumatic branch shaker and abscission chemical

“…The chemical treatment was found to be significant on the fruit removal percentage (p < 0.01) suggesting that the application significantly increases the efficiency of mechanical harvesting of olives with the pneumatics branch shaker. These results are in agreement with the findings of Martin (1994), Keçecioglu (1975) and Whitney et al (2000). They suggested that efficiency of mechanical harvesting by shaking alone was low.…”

“…To reduce the detachment force and facilitate harvesting operation, abscission chemicals have been used (Al-Jalil et al, 1999;Beyhan, 1996;Martin, 1994;Metzidakis, 1999;Peterson, Whiting, & Wolford, 2003;Keçecioglu, 1975;Whitney, Hartmond, Kender, & Salyani, 2000). Some abscission chemicals have been identified for enhancing mechanical harvesting efficiency by loosening pedicleÕs strength of fruit.…”

Effect of Ethephon Spray Treatments on Mechanical Harvesting and Oil Composition of `Arbequina' Olives

“…A detrimental side effect of ethephon on olive trees is excessive defoliation (Antognozzi, 1982;Ben-Tal and Lavee, 1976;Cimato, 1982;Martin, 1986). Our results show a significant linear increase in total leaf drop and preharvest leaf drop with ethephon treatments (Table 3).…”

“…The range of ethephon concentrations used in this study did not significantly affect flowering rate the year after treatment (Table 3). Some authors reported reduced flowering when defoliation exceeded 25% to 30% (Antognozzi, 1982;Martin, 1986). In a normal year, fruit set in 2% to 3% of the flowers is enough for a full crop (Lavee, 1986).…”

“…The small size of the 'Arbequina' olive and the weeping habit of the branches reduce the energy transmission from mechanical vibration to the fruit, which decreases the efficiency of mechanical fruit removal (Tous and Romero, 1992). Three approaches can be taken to improve mechanical harvesting with a power vibrator: 1) change the tree shape and reduce canopy size by pruning, 2) use chemical treatments to enhance fruit abscission or 3) use a combination of 1 and 2 above (Martin, 1986;Ramalho and Pires, 1986).…”