Berry Harvesting Research Articles

Pruning date and hydrogen cyanamide effects on growth and yield of grapevine var. Cabernet Sauvignon

Harvesting the grapes before the monsoon season is crucial to ensure the quality of berry and bunches. This study aims to identify the optimal window for pruning and hydrogen cyanamide (HC) application to prepone the berry harvesting. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with five treatments and four replications. Treatments were five different pruning dates in 2021: Jan. 17, Jan. 24, Jan. 31, Feb. 7 and Feb. 14, followed by 5% HC application one week after pruning. Annual growth stages of grapevine were recorded by using modified E-L growth stage; reproductive attributes recorded during flowering; and vine yield and berry quality attributes recorded at harvesting. The earlier pruning resulted earlier budburst compared to late pruning. Vines prunefed after Feb. 7 had <50% budburst, while vines pruned before Feb. 7 reached 50% budburst, exhibiting no differences in number of days needed to achieve it. Jan. 17 pruning had the highest budburst (%) and bud fruitfulness (%), where pruning on Feb. 7 had lower values. Average bunch weight did not differ while berry quality attributes differed between treatments for the same day harvest. The negative responses in late pruned and HC treated vines, potentially attributed to the phytotoxic effect of HC on tender buds near the natural time of dormancy break. The early pruning and subsequent application of HC triggered earlier budburst, and advances flowering and harvesting of berries in grapevine. This research demonstrated a potential techniques for advancing harvesting time (2-3 weeks) in grapevine.

A Review of Perception Technologies for Berry Fruit-Picking Robots: Advantages, Disadvantages, Challenges, and Prospects

Berries are nutritious and valuable, but their thin skin, soft flesh, and fragility make harvesting and picking challenging. Manual and traditional mechanical harvesting methods are commonly used, but they are costly in labor and can damage the fruit. To overcome these challenges, it may be worth exploring alternative harvesting methods. Using berry fruit-picking robots with perception technology is a viable option to improve the efficiency of berry harvesting. This review presents an overview of the mechanisms of berry fruit-picking robots, encompassing their underlying principles, the mechanics of picking and grasping, and an examination of their structural design. The importance of perception technology during the picking process is highlighted. Then, several perception techniques commonly used by berry fruit-picking robots are described, including visual perception, tactile perception, distance measurement, and switching sensors. The methods of these four perceptual techniques used by berry-picking robots are described, and their advantages and disadvantages are analyzed. In addition, the technical characteristics of perception technologies in practical applications are analyzed and summarized, and several advanced applications of berry fruit-picking robots are presented. Finally, the challenges that perception technologies need to overcome and the prospects for overcoming these challenges are discussed.

Research on fruit picking test of blueberry harvesting machinery under transmission clearance

Since China possesses the vast territory and a large blueberry planting area, blueberry harvesting with hand is laborious and time consuming. As the blueberry planting agronomy in China is different from other countries, it is pretty significant to develop blueberry harvesting machinery applicable to the domestic planting agronomy to achieve mechanized harvesting of blueberries. In blueberry harvesting operation, the harvesting system as the core component of the machine is the key technology of the harvesting machinery. The previous study found that: in terms of harvesting machinery, most of the literature has studied the dynamic characteristics, while few articles have been published to study the transmission clearance. But the clearance collision force generated by the transmission clearance of the harvesting system directly affected the output load moment and harvesting force of the machine developed by acting on the plant, and then affected the picking efficiency and the quality of picked fruit. Therefore, this paper focuses on the study of the transmission clearance of the blueberry harvesting machine. Firstly, the MLSD modeling method was applied to establish the transmission clearance model of the harvesting device, and the corresponding mechanical analysis of the transmission clearance was carried out. Secondly, after programming in MATLAB software and simulation in ADAMS software, the correctness of the transmission clearance model of the harvesting device was verified in different environments. The multi-body dynamics analysis software ADAMS was used for building the transmission clearance model of the harvesting device and perform mechanical simulation to analyze the clearance collision force and the output load moment of the harvesting device. Pro/E, ADAMS and ANSYS software were integrated to establish the flexible body of blueberry plant. Then the flexible body was combined with the mechanical model of harvesting device for rigid-flexible coupling simulation analysis to study the fruit harvesting force under different transmission clearances. Finally, the orthogonal method was used to conduct field test on blueberry harvesting to study the influence of the transmission clearance on the quality of picked fruit and picking efficiency of the machinery. Therefore, the best combination of the transmission clearance of the harvester was obtained as follows: cam clearance (the clearance joints of cam) was 0.25 mm, the slider clearance was 0.2 mm, left connecting rod clearance pair was 0.1 mm, right connecting rod clearance pair was 0.2 mm; the field picking test was conducted to obtain the machine's picking efficiency was 3.93 kg min−1, the shedding rate of unripe fruit was 3.1 %, and the damage rate of picked fruit was 2.8 %. The research findings of this paper can offer referenced basis and theoretical support for berry harvesting machinery, and also can provide guidance for the design and improvement of other agricultural and forestry harvesting machinery.

Drought responses in Coffea arabica as affected by genotype and phenophase. II – photosynthesis at leaf and plant scales

Summary The aim of this work was to compare gas exchanges from leaf to whole plant scales, in two Ethiopian accessions (‘E083’ and ‘E027’), and two bred cultivars (Iapar 59 and Catuaí 99) of Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.) cultivated under irrigated and rainfed conditions. Variations in gas exchanges were evaluated over four phenophases (leaf expansion – BE1 and BE2, and berry harvesting – BH1 and BH2), covering the first two production years in the coffee life cycle. We addressed the following questions: Are gas exchanges modified by water availability at leaf and/or plant scales? Do bred cultivars and wild accessions differ in their physiological responses to water availability and phenophases? Photosynthesis (A), stomatal conductance (gs), and transpiration (E) were measured on the recently fully expanded leaves at the upper canopy stratum. The functional-structural plant modelling (FSPM) was used to integrate A at whole plant photosynthesis (A”p), based on 3D virtual trees constructed under VPlants modelling platform. Despite high A values of ‘E083’ overall phenophases, a strong decline in A”p under rainfed condition was observed due to lower plant leaf area as compared to irrigated condition. Catuaí 99 and ‘E083’ were more sensitive to drought than Iapar 59 and ‘E027’, considering photosynthesis at leaf and plant scales. At the last BH2 phenophase, A, gs, E, and carboxylation efficiency were similar between irrigated and rainfed conditions for all genotypes, suggesting some acclimation of leaf gas exchange to the environment. However, A”p benefited by water management in all phenophases as plant leaf area increased. These findings revealed the need to develop methodologies for structural and functional analyses at plant scale, an important step towards the realistic responses of plants and orchards to the surrounding environment.

Cultivation of Black Goji Berry (Lycium Ruthenicum Murr.) in the Trans Himalayan Region Ladakh Agro Technique Harvest, Yield and Cost Benefit Analysis

The present study discusses the agro technique, harvesting, yield, and economics of less explored highly medicinal plant black goji berry (Lycium ruthenicum). It was observed that black goji berries can be easily cultivated through seed, pencil-thickness hardwood stem cuttings, and rootstock. Black goji berry harvesting is a very difficult and tedious task for goji growing farmers as the berries get easily ruptured during harvesting and lose their content. To address these obstacles, DIHAR-DRDO, Leh conducted several goji berry harvesting trials deploying various techniques. Collecting fruits/berries to their full potential requires careful planning and tactics, which involves the use of an appropriate harvesting method that minimizes damage. After performing various method of harvesting, the best outcome was reported in cutting the fruit-bearing branch method as its less expensive with minimum fruit damage (5 %), time-saving, and retain the quality of fruit as compared to the other harvesting methods. An approximate cost production and net profit calculation were performed for 1011.71 square meters (02 Kanal) plantations of L. ruthenicum to their average yield of fruit production per plant. The average yield of three-year-old hardwood stem cutting and uprooted plant is 500-600 gm of fresh berry per plant on average. The economic relation to the cost production of L. ruthenicum is highly beneficial and it has all the capabilities of enhancing the socio-economy of the fragile ecosystem.

Analysis and Testing of Rigid–Flexible Coupling Collision Harvesting Processes in Blueberry Plants

China possesses a vast territory, and the manual harvesting of blueberries is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Due to the planting agronomy differences in other countries, China needs to develop a domestic blueberry harvester to realize mechanical blueberry harvesting. In the harvesting process, “collision” is the core problem. Most of the literature has studied rigid body–rigid body collision, while few authors have studied rigid–flexible coupling collision mechanisms in the field of berry harvesting. In this paper, a rigid–flexible coupling collision model between the harvester and the blueberry plant was established based on the L-N nonlinear spring damping model (describing the collision force model between two colliding objects, consisting of the nonlinear spring and the damper) and improved the Coulomb model (the tangential collision force model), and the collision mechanism of blueberry harvesting was analyzed. The harvesting collision process was analyzed using both MATLAB and ADAMS software and the same conclusions were obtained: the collision force and fruit harvesting force were inversely proportional to the machine velocity but positively proportional to the rotational velocity of the hydraulic motor of the harvesting device. The following machine parameters were required to meet harvesting conditions: a harvesting device output rotational velocity of 120–150 r/min and a machine velocity of 40–50 m/min. A harvesting field test using a self-propelled blueberry harvester was conducted, which showed that the test results were consistent with the software simulation conclusions. When the machine velocity of the harvester and the output rotational velocity of the hydraulic motor were 45 m/min and 130 r/min, respectively, the machine provided optimum harvesting efficiency and fruit quality with the following optimum parameters: a harvesting efficiency of 5.1 kg/min, a raw fruit harvesting rate of 2.9%, and a damaged fruit harvesting rate of 3.6%. This research can lay the preliminary theoretical foundation for the analysis of a blueberry harvesting mechanism, and the research results can provide a theoretical reference for the harvesting of other similar berry shrubs.

Evaluation of introduced blackcurrant varieties for production and breeding

Thus far, the world’s blackcurrant range comprises about 1,200 varieties and is constantly being improved. The most successful breeding programs for black currant have been implemented in Poland, England, Belarus, Ukraine, Sweden, Lithuania, Finland, Romania, China and Russia. However, the climatic conditions of several regions of the Russian Federation make it difficult to fully realize the biological potential of foreign varieties and they often do not correspond to the characteristics declared by the breeder. The study is aimed at making comprehensive assessment of the introducers to establish their selection potential and the possibility of industrial cultivation. The study was conducted in 2018-2021 in the black currant collection site of the Kokino station of Federal Horticultural Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery (Bryansk region). 20 varieties of black currant of foreign breeding from different ecological and geographical groups were explored. A new local variety Kudesnik with average maturation time was taken for comparison. It was included in the State Register for Selection Achievements in 2022. An assessment of introduced black currant varieties by morphological character of plants revealed the features of their growth in the south-western conditions of the central Non-Black Earth region. Varieties that do not meet the requirements of modern intensive mechanized technologies have been established. In terms of plant height, the varieties Mriya, Nympha, Kupalinka, Cheryshneva, Amethyst, Sofiyivska and Triton do not meet the parameters appropriate for mechanical harvesting. It will be difficult to use berry harvesting equipment with the varieties Sofievskaya, Amethyst and Klussonovskaya due to the wide base of their bushes (>0.3 m). The varieties Sofievskaya and Klussonovskaya, with the highest yield (10 t/ha) do not meet the requirements of modern production in terms of bush mien and berries tearaway force. The best introducers (Sofievskaya, Klussonovskaya, Nympha, Mriya, Cheryshneva, Triton, Belorusochka, Kupalinka) with a yield of 8.3-10.0 tonnes/ha can be recommended for home gardening. A number of foreign varieties as genetic sources in breeding for berry strength (Cheryshneva, Ben Hope, Black Magic, Tiben); fruit size (Nympha); number of fruits in the claster (Triton, Cheryshneva); taste qualities (Mriya); high content of soluble solids (Ben Tirran, Sofievskaya, Mriya) and other characteristics of interest have been identified.

Breeding evaluation of black currant on the basis of shrub habitus

Results of phenotypic evaluation of black currant genetic collection, selected forms, inbred and hybrid progeny by shrub habitus are presented. The possibility of using promising genotypes to produce the progeny with an optimal type of crowns was studied. Studies were conducted in 2017- 2021 in the conditions of the Bryansk region in the plots of the genetic collection, competitive study of selected forms, and hybrid black currant stock. The cultivation of black currants in the collection plantations and on the hybrid plot was carried out in accordance with the common in the Non-Black Earth Zone of Russia agro-technique. The weather conditions of the Bryansk region are typical for the Central region of Russia, the climate is moderately continental. Differentiation of varieties and selected forms by crown shape of plants was carried out. Hybridological analysis of inheritance of shrub habitus trait on the example of nine families from controlled crosses, three populations from self-pollination of genotypes different in shrub shape and three - from free pollination of promising black currant genotypes was performed. Varieties corresponding to the individual parameters of combine berry harvesting technology in terms of shrub habitus, base width, plant height were identified. These include the varieties Litvinovskaya, Myth, Rita, Kudesnik, Kudmig, Ben Hope, Nezhdanchik, Podarok Astakhova, Tamerlan, Tiben, Etyud, Chernavka and others, as well as a number of promising hybrids - 4-94-1, 3-80-01, 4-5-2, 4-19-04, 62-03-7, etc. The phenotypic evaluation of black currant progeny showed that the manifestation of the shrub habitus trait has a significant dependence on the crown type of the genotypes involved in the breeding work.

Microencapsulation and Bioaccessibility of Phenolic Compounds of Vaccinium Leaf Extracts.

In recent years, Vaccinium spp. (bilberry-VMT, lingonberry-VVIT, and blueberry-VCS) have sparked particular interest for their prospective health benefits. The latest investigations have place them as important alternative sources of nutraceuticals as their leaves are the main by-products of berry harvesting. The present study is aimed at investigating the bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds from leaves of the Vaccinium species, both as microencapsulated powder and aqueous extracts, following exposure to in vitro simulated digestion. Moreover, the impact of maltodextrin and glucose microencapsulation carriers on the extracts’ phenolic content was assessed. Prior to encapsulation, the viscosity of the emulsions was shown at a shear stress of 50 s−1 dilatant and a Newtonian behaviour above this value with a final viscosity between 1.024 and 1.049 mPa·s. The final microencapsulation yield for the samples ranged between 79 and 81%. Although the microencapsulated forms presented a targeted release at the intestinal level, the phenolic content decreased after gastrointestinal digestion. The bioaccessibility of the microencapsulated extracts showed higher values than their non-encapsulated counterparts, with the highest value of 45.43% in the VVIT sample, followed by VCS with 41.07%. However, the non-encapsulated VCS sample presented high bioaccessibility after in vitro digestion (38.65%). As concluded, further in vivo research should be conducted on the leaves of the Vaccinium species.

Risk Analysis of Berry Harvesting in a Blueberry Plantation

The purpose of the study was to conduct a risk analysis of the operation of a highbush blueberry plantation based on the FMEA method. The research was based on the information acquired from two private blueberry plantations differing in location (Sokolniki, Dybów) and acreage size (0.45 ha and 4 ha). It was pointed out that the greatest threat to both plantations, and thus to the quality of the product, turned out to be ensuring proper fertilization and protection from diseases and pests (risk index: 126). In addition, in the case of the first plantation, the location of the plantation (147), cutting and shaping of bushes that have a significant impact on plant development (120) and protection from wild birds (112) were of great importance. Similarly, plantation location, cutting and bush formation (162), yields, commercial quality of the harvest, and plantation location (112) were diagnosed as high risks for the second plantation. The most critical risks to blueberry quality occur at the first link in the logistics chain, i.e. the agricultural producer.

Field Capacity and Harvest Efficiency Evaluation of Traditional Small Box and Semi-Automated Bin Handling Systems for Wild Blueberries

Mechanical harvesters with small box and semi-automated bin handling systems are increasingly being used for harvesting wild blueberries in Eastern Canada, and Northeastern, USA. However, their field capacity and performance have not been quantified and compared. Important measures of field capacity and efficiency for a traditional mechanical harvester were compared with a novel semi-automatic bin handling harvester. Data were obtained from on-farm field trials conducted at four sites in Nova Scotia, Canada in 2017 and 2018. Both harvesters had double head configurations, along with other similar engineering configurations: (i) 0.66 m picking reels; (ii) 16 picker bars per head and 65 teeth per bar; (iii) 1.72 m picking width; (iv) 21 rpm head speed; and (v) 0.31 ms−1 ground speed. Each harvester was operated for 120 min and data such as berry harvesting time and box handling time were recorded, with six replications during each year. Statistical methods were used to compare the harvest efficiency of the two mechanical harvesters. Harvest time efficiency was significantly higher for the semi-automatic bin handling technology than for the small box handling technology both in 2017 (p < 0.001), and 2018 (p < 0.001). Weed coverage did not have a significant effect of harvest time in either 2017 (p = 0.694) or 2018 (p = 0.765), though it did significantly affect yield in both 2017 (p = 0.011) and 2018 (p = 0.045). The findings provide useful insights for decision-makers contemplating the choice of harvesting technology to sustain profits from wild blueberry production.

A chromosome-scale assembly of the bilberry genome identifies a complex locus controlling berry anthocyanin composition.

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) belongs to the Vaccinium genus, which includes blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) and cranberry (V.macrocarpon). Unlike its cultivated relatives, bilberry remains largely undomesticated, with berry harvesting almost entirely from the wild. As such, it represents an ideal target for genomic analysis, providing comparisons with the domesticated Vaccinium species. Bilberry is prized for its taste and health properties and has provided essential nutrition for Northern European indigenous populations. It contains high concentrations of phytonutrients, with perhaps the most important being the purple colored anthocyanins, found in both skin and flesh. Here, we present the first bilberry genome assembly, comprising 12pseudochromosomes assembled using Oxford Nanopore (ONT) and Hi-C Technologies. The pseudochromosomes represent 96.6% complete BUSCO genes with an assessed LAI score of 16.3, showing a high conservation of synteny against the blueberry genome. Kmer analysis showed an unusual third peak, indicating the sequenced samples may have been from two individuals. The alternate alleles were purged so that the final assembly represents only one haplotype. A total of 36,404 genes were annotated after nearly 48% of the assembly was masked to remove repeats. To illustrate the genome quality, we describe the complex MYBA locus, and identify the key regulating MYB genes that determine anthocyanin production. The new bilberry genome builds on the genomic resources and knowledge of Vaccinium species, to help understand the genetics underpinning some of the quality attributes that breeding programs aspire to improve. The high conservation of synteny between bilberry and blueberry genomes means that comparative genome mapping can be applied to transfer knowledge about marker-trait association between these two species, as the loci involved in key characters are orthologous.

Yield and quality of strawberries when applying fertilizers

Relevance. One of the most important elements of the technology of cultivation of strawberries for increasing productivity and improving the quality of berries is the use of fertilizers that can regulate the growth, development, yield and quality of products.Methods. During 2016-2018, the impact of pre-planting application of complex mineral fertilizers on the yield and quality of strawberries in the Udmurt Republic was studied. The analysis of meteorological conditions during the growing season of the crop according to the research results is carried out.Results. The results of the use of complex fertilizers Azofoska, Perm-yagodnoye and Fusco-yagodnoye on garden strawberries when grown in the conditions of the Udmurt Republic are presented. It was found that the use of these fertilizers in comparison with the control (Azofoska) contributes to an increase in yield and has a positive effect on the quality of berries. The aftereffect of the studied fertilizers on the second and third year of fruiting of wild strawberries is noted. According to the results of research, the highest yield of berries of the garden strawberry was obtained in 2016 in the first year of fruiting when applying Chamfer-berry (1.33 kg/m2 ). The pre-planting application of the FaskoYagodnoye fertilizer provided a reliable increase in yield at all times of berry harvesting, and on average for three years by 0.13 kg/m2 with an NSR of 0.04 kg/m2 . The content of dry matter, water-soluble sugars and vitamin C in the berries corresponded to the characteristics of the Darenka variety and to a greater extent depended on the meteorological conditions of the growing season of strawberries.

Diachronic and Cultural Variations in Chukchi Ethnobotany

Although the ethnoecology of the Chukchi has long been the focus of researchers, a systemic description informing the history of plant use, including local names or modes of harvesting and preparation, suitability for different ages, and different occasions, is largely lacking. C. H. Merck provided the first account of food plants at the end of the 18th century, during the Billings-Sarychev expedition, however, the first information regarding traditionally used medicinal plants was published only recently, after centuries of contact. During our 2014-2015 fieldwork, we interviewed 56 Chukchi people in the Chukotskii and Iultinskii districts of Chukotka to collect material on the most common local plants. We also gathered data on Chukchi ethnobotany from all available published sources. Slight differences were observed between maritime and reindeer Chukchi, with the former relying more on plant resources. Access limitations (e.g., algae) are reduced by exchanges between the two groups. The decline in the consumption of roots gathered from vole nests (peɬqumret) is compensated by an increase in berry harvesting (e.g., cloudberry, crowberry, bog blueberry, and lingonberry). Our results also show that the main medical uses are aimed at disease prevention, though some are borrowed from scientific pan-Russian herbal medicine popularized during the Soviet period.

Physical and mechanical properties of berries and biological features of red currant growth for mechanized harvesting

The physical and mechanical parameters of berries and the morphometric features of the structure of the bush growth habit are important criteria in predicting the use of berry harvesting equipment. In this research, six red currant cultivars have been studied. The berry separation force, the crushing force, and the strength of attachment of the berries to the stalk were assigned to the physical and mechanical parameters and were determined using the "PLODTEST-1" and "Dina-2" devices (Russia). For the optimal operation of the berry harvester, the crushing force of the berries must be more than 2 N, the berry separation force must be in the range of 0.5–1.5 N. A high correlation between the separation and crushing forces was determined (R = 0.71). During the period of technical maturity, the strength of the attachment of the berries in the raceme was more than 0.5 N and, by the end of maturation, this indicator decreased. Most of the studied cultivars have a compact, optimal bush volume. The red currant cultivars Niva, Asya and Vika are promising for mechanised harvesting.

Management of Relay-cropped Strawberry and Eggplant to Maximize Yield and Economic Return

Strawberry growers face rising production costs combined with competition from foreign imports. Relay cropping vegetables with strawberries is a unique approach that can diversify income and reduce the risk associated with strawberry production. Planting vegetable transplants on the same bed before strawberry crop termination enables continued berry harvesting while the new vegetable transplants become established. Relay cropping techniques of strawberry with eggplants were evaluated during the 2016–17 and 2017–18 seasons in Balm, FL. The strawberry crop was planted in September, and eggplant was transplanted into the beds either as a sole crop or with strawberry plants. Two experiments were conducted to optimize the planting date of strawberries and the termination date of strawberries. The objective of the research was to examine the competitive relationship between strawberry and eggplant crops and to define the optimal planting date for the eggplant and termination date of strawberries to minimize the competitive interaction and maximize the yield of both crops. Strawberry yields were unaffected (P = 0.938) by relay cropping or by the planting date of the eggplant. Eggplants grown without strawberries had 27% to 32% higher yields (P = 0.004) compared with relay-cropped eggplants, and eggplant yield decreased with later planting dates (P < 0.001). A partial budget analysis showed that transplant dates of 4 and 18 Jan. for eggplants with strawberries resulted in increased profits of $7320 and $3461 per ha, respectively, over the baseline treatment of strawberries alone, but later planting dates resulted in an overall economic loss ($7800–$16,000/ha). Strawberry termination dates did not affect eggplant yields. In conclusion, relay cropping eggplants with strawberries resulted in no effect on strawberry yields, reduced eggplant yields, but increased overall profits when eggplant were transplanted in early to mid-January. Relay cropping of strawberries with eggplants in early February to early March is less profitable than a monocrop of strawberries.

Harvest Stage Recognition and Potential Fruit Damage Indicator for Berries Based on Hidden Markov Models and the Viterbi Algorithm.

This article proposes a monitoring system that allows to track transitions between different stages in the berry harvesting process (berry picking, waiting for transport, transport and arrival at the packing site) solely using information from temperature and vibration sensors located in the basket. The monitoring system assumes a characterization of the process based on hidden Markov models and uses the Viterbi algorithm to perform inferences and estimate the most likely state trajectory. The obtained state trajectory estimate is then used to compute a potential damage indicator in real time. The proposed methodology does not require information about the weight of the basket to identify each of the different stages, which makes it effective and more efficient than other alternatives available in the industry.

ВПЛИВ ЕСФОНУ НА БІОХІМІЧНІ ЗМІНИ В ПЕРІОД ДОЗРІВАННЯ ЯГІД, УРОЖАЙНІСТЬ ТА ЯКІСТЬ ПЛОДІВ АҐРУСУ

The effect of pre-harvest treatment of gooseberry bushes (GROSSULARIA RECLINAT (L.) MILL) of cv. Mashenka with a 0.3% aqueous solution of ethylene product on the yield and quality characteristics of berries, quantitative changes in the content of structural polysaccharides during ripening were studied. The experiments were carried out in the field from 2015 to 2017. The experimental sites were randomly chosen, there were five bushes in a row, the repetition of the field experiment was fivefold. The plants were treated with 0.3% aqueous esphone two weeks prior to berry harvesting using an OP-2 backpack. The berries under analysis were selected every four days after treatment with the preparation. The polysaccharide content was determined on a fixed material. The berries were fixed in the field with liquid nitrogen, dried in a drying oven at 70º C to air - dry state. The determination of cellulose and pectin content was carried out by weight method, hemicellulose and non-structural carbohydrates (sugars and starch) in gooseberry fruits were carried out by iodometric method. To evaluate the quality of the berries, their analysis for total acidity was performed by potentiometric titration, ascorbic acid was determined using potassium hexacyanoferrate. The analytical replicability of the studies is fivefold. Statistical processing of the results was performed using the computer program ‘Statistica-6’. The significance of the difference between the control and experiment indicators was determined by Student's t-test. It is found out that on the fourth, eighth and twelfth days, the content of reducing sugars, sucrose and their amounts in the berries treated with ethyleneproducer plants was higher than in the control sample. A more intense decrease in the total acidity of the berries of the experimental sample was observed, while the ascorbic acid content did not change significantly. A higher amylase activity in berries due to ethylene products during ripening was also established, resulting in a faster decrease in the starch content in the berries and an increase in the sugar content. Pre-harvesting of gooseberry with ethylene product esphone leads to increased accumulation of pectic substances in the products, a more intensive hydrolysis of structural polysaccharides in comparison with the control sample, which serves as an indicator of more intense maceration of fetal tissues. The use of pre-harvest processing of gooseberry with ethylene product esphone has led to increased yields and higher quality of gooseberry crop production and has many prospects for the development of mechanized harvesting technologies.

Resources in the Hunting Industry and Natural Fruit and Berry Harvesting in the Far East

The article examines the resources in the hunting industry and natural fruit and berry harvesting in the Far East as a significant supplementary source for the regional population’s food supply.1 The meat from game animals, wild nuts, fruits, forest plants, and mushrooms are environmentally friendly, and essentially delicacies, significantly exceeding the quality of analogous agricultural products. At present, however, these resources are rarely used.

One DOF mechanism for the mechanical harvest of vines in an arbor structure and the validation of the acceleration of grape berry harvesting

In the mechanized harvest of vines, grape berries are detached through the vibration to the structure supporting the clusters. According to the kind of guide selected, the clusters require one or two vibration directions in the structure. For guiding in parral structures, vibration is necessary in two directions or planes: One perpendicular to the other. The guide branches producing the clusters develop in these planes, and the guiding is called H-guiding. Mechanism theory indicates that a mechanism has as many degrees of freedom as its actuators, and an actuator is needed to achieve a certain vibration. Having the smallest number of possible actuators is beneficial in reducing moving parts and achieving more compact and easily controllable mechanisms. In this case, a single degree-of-freedom mechanism is proposed. It is capable of generating vibrations on two planes: One perpendicular to the other. This mechanism is the sum of two link mechanisms on perpendicular planes with a common outlet located at the output rod of the mechanism where the actuator is found. As the distance between the soil and the elements containing the clusters is not constant, a system has been designed to measure the accelerations at the bars and the rocker to validate the acceleration values that detach the grape berries in a prototype in a lab experiment, to ensure that the acceleration needed for pulling the grape berries are produced at any contact point of the bar.