Mass modeling of cantaloupe based on geometric attributes: A case study for Tile Magasi and Tile Shahri

Abstract

Grading which results in easier fruit packaging not only reduces the waste but also increases the marketing value of agricultural products. The knowledge on existing relationship among the mass, length, width, thickness, volume and projected areas of fruits is useful for proper design of grading machines. The aim of this study was mass modeling of two major cultivars of Iranian cantaloupes (Tile Magasi and Tile Shahri) based on geometrical attributes. Models were classified into three: 1 – univariate and multivariate models based on the outer dimensions of fruit. 2 – Univariate and multivariate models based on the projected areas of fruit. 3 – Univariate models based on the actual volume, volume of the fruit assumed as prolate and oblate spheroid shapes. The results indicated that the models based on the fruit width, third projected area and assumed oblate spheroid volume have the highest determination coefficient ( R 2) and the lowest standard error of estimate (SEE). It was finally concluded that cantaloupe mass modeling based on the volume of fruit assumed as oblate spheroid shape with a nonlinear relation; M = 2.198 V obl 0.884 , R 2 = 0.986 these values were suitable for grading systems.