Mechanical Harvesting Systems Research Articles

A mechanized harvest system for freshwater fishpond

Development of a prototype-mechanized fish harvesting system for carp from a rectangular shaped fishpond is described in this paper. The system consists of motorized trolleys on the longer dykes of fishpond, rail, boom pipe, netting arrangement and ON/OFF arrangements. The trolleys move on the rail tracks with constant speed of 3 m/min and takes about 15 min to complete the harvesting operation. The overall mean harvest efficiency of Indian major carps (IMC) with mechanized fish harvesting system has been estimated to be around 80% per operation. The whole harvesting operation is done mechanically except collection of harvested fishes at the end of operation, which presently requires two persons getting into the pond and lifting out the fishes from the net.

COLHEITA MECÂNICA E MANUAL DA CANA-DE-AÇÚCAR: HISTÓRICO E ANÁLISE

The sugarcane is one of the most important crops for Brazilian commercial terms. Nowadays the sugarcane agro-industry processes around 300 million tons of sugarcane a year, produced in approximately 5,4 million hectares. Although the mechanized harvested area is less than 25%, it tends to increase in nest years, especially due to governmental laws. The adoption of the mechanized harvesting system causes among others the raise of strange matter and loss of raw material in the field.

COLHEITA MECÂNICA E MANUAL DA CANA-DE-AÇÚCAR: HISTÓRICO E ANÁLISE

The sugarcane is one of the most important crops for Brazilian commercial terms. Nowadays the sugarcane agro-industry processes around 300 million tons of sugarcane a year, produced in approximately 5,4 million hectares. Although the mechanized harvested area is less than 25%, it tends to increase in nest years, especially due to governmental laws. The adoption of the mechanized harvesting system causes among others the raise of strange matter and loss of raw material in the field.

PANORAMA DA COLHEITA MECANIZADA DE CANA-DE-AÇÚCAR E SEU IMPACTO NO MANEJO DA CULTURA

Nowadays, sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.) occupies 6.96 millions of hectares in Brazil and there is an estimate to crush 475.07 millions of tons, from among, 47% are for sugar production, whereas 53% are for alcohol production. Among all the stages of sugar cane production, the harvest time is the phase which presents more changes due not only to the new socio-environmental demands, but also to the need for cost reduction. The semi-mechanized harvest system involves a great number of workmanship and requires the use of canebrake burning, practice condemned by society and that has been forbidden by an increasing number of municipality producers of sugar cane and by state law. As an alternative to the canebrake burning, it has been adopted the mechanized harvest system. In this system it is used self- propelled harvesters that cut and grind the leaves, as well as the sheathing part and the apex of them, besides a great variable quantity of parts of a stem, and afterwards these parts are thrown to the soil forming a cover of vegetal residue called straw or fodder. The mechanized system provokes a series of changes while handling the culture because it causes a great accumulation of straw on the surface of the soil which modifies the control of the weed and makes it difficult to the second harvest of sugar cane to sprout again, besides retaining the soil humidity for a longer period and modifying the fauna considered as the culture plague. The operational performance is also affected because one harvester is able to substitute 80 men per day and the changing process requires the workmen’s qualification and the adequacy of the fleet of sugar cane trucks as well. Thus, the objective of this work is to carry out a survey on scientific researches that are being accomplished about the impact of the handling of the culture caused by the process of changing from the semi-mechanized harvest system to the mechanized sugar cane culture.

Harvest Cost and Citrus Mechanization: Real Options Approach with Least Squares Monte Carlo Simulation

The prospect of immigration policy reform has renewed growers' concerns of serious labor shortages and cost increases because a large portion (at least 53%) of the workforce in agriculture is unauthorized for U.S. employment. This concern of labor cost increase is more serious for specialty crop agriculture, not only because it is highly labor intensive, but also it requires labor in a very short period, particularly at harvest time. Agricultural employers may address the increased labor cost, especially harvest cost in various ways, but likely options include adoption of mechanical harvesting. If we focus on adoption of mechanical harvesting, the most imminent effect of immigration policy reform might be on crops mainly used for processing for which labor-intensive technology is currently employed, but an alternative, less labor-intensive technology is already developed. Florida citrus is a current example of a major specialty crop with these characteristics. In addition, the Florida citrus industry is facing many difficulties, from recent hurricanes to new diseases to increased international competition, all of which may urge immediate mechanization of harvesting operation intended for cost reduction. Currently, the estimated cost of mechanical harvesting of Florida oranges for juice processing suggests a significant cost advantage over hand harvesting, but the adoption of mechanical harvesting systems remains relatively low at about 7.5% of the Florida orange acreage. In order to study the mechanization-investment decision by the Florida citrus farmers, we firstly estimate the value for two operational modes (hand and mechanical harvesting) using the net present value (NPV) approach. While, the NPV approach simply compares NPVs from the two operational modes, the real options approach (ROA), which applies financial option theory for investment in real assets, assumes that the farmer does not invest until the NPV of the mechanical harvesting operation is greater than that of the current operation by margin of the option value of investment. Option valuation with early exercise features with multiple stochastic factors has the so-called dimensionality problem. The ROA study for the Florida citrus mechanization is one of these cases since there are at least four stochastic factors: price, yield, production cost, and harvest cost. We overcome this dimensionality problem by using the least squares Monte Carlo simulation (Longstaff and Schwartz 2001) which solves the dynamic optimization problem posed by the Bellman equation, where the value of continuation is computed on the basis of a regression on cross-sectional data.

Harvesting and handling effects on postharvest decay

Purpose of review: The aims of this review are: (1) to highlight the most significant results over the last few years in harvesting methods and pre- and postharvest handling of horticultural products; and (2) to provide insights in terms of technological aspects, with special reference to the control of postharvest decay. New system approaches that should be considered as components of an integrated decay control strategy and overall good agricultural practices are also described. Main findings: Harvest and handling practices have major effects on postharvest decay. Mechanical harvesting systems and time of harvest have a prominent effect on postharvest decay and mycotoxin contamination. Fruit maturity at harvest, which directly affects bruising, is a major factor affecting infection by postharvest pathogens. Harvest of fruits from the ground and contact of harvest containers with soil contaminate fruits with postharvest propagules and result in increased decay. Climatic conditions affect sources of contamination and infection of fruits: under dry, hot subtropical climates latent and quiescent infections preharvest play a significant role while under warm, humid tropical climates contamination of fruit wounds during harvest can be of great importance, affecting levels of postharvest decay. Packing directly in the field reduces production costs but increases chances for postharvest decay. Electronic noses have been constructed that can “smell” and separate decayed fruits in packinghouses and predict mycotoxin contamination. Regression models have been developed to detect the impact of mechanical damage on postharvest decay. In addition, new packaging systems have been created to minimise mechanical injuries and decrease susceptibility to decay and bruising. Postharvest treatments, such as application of reduced-risk fungicide, biological agents and natural products, heat treatment and edible coating formulations, alone or in combination, can be successfully applied in a range of commodities in order to prevent decay. Directions for future research: The mode of action of antagonistic yeast in postharvest fruit disease control may be an important tool in postharvest biocontrol strategies, thus providing important guidance for their future application. In addition, mixtures of low-risk fungicides with biological agents should be carried out to identify the best postharvest treatments with the lowest environmental impact and the greatest consumer safety. Comparative studies for a range of fleshy products harvested from organic, integrated and conventional production systems should be also carried out.

Innovative Techniques for Large-scale Seagrass Restoration Using Zostera marina (eelgrass) Seeds

The use of Zostera marina (eelgrass) seeds for seagrass restoration is increasingly recognized as an alternative to transplanting shoots as losses of seagrass habitat generate interest in large-scale restoration. We explored new techniques for efficient large-scale restoration of Z. marina using seeds by addressing the factors limiting seed collection, processing, survival, and distribution. We tested an existing mechanical harvesting system for expanding the scale of seed collections, and developed and evaluated two new experimental systems. A seeding technique using buoys holding reproductive shoots at restoration sites to eliminate seed storage was tested along with new techniques for reducing seed-processing labor. A series of experiments evaluated storage conditions that maintain viability of seeds during summer storage for fall planting. Finally, a new mechanical seed-planting technique appropriate for large scales was developed and tested. Mechanical harvesting was an effective approach for collecting seeds, and impacts on donor beds were low. Deploying seed-bearing shoots in buoys produced fewer seedlings and required more effort than isolating, storing, and hand-broadcasting seeds in the fall. We show that viable seeds can be separated from grass wrack based on seed fall velocity and that seed survival during storage can be high (92–95% survival over 3 months). Mechanical seed-planting did not enhance seedling establishment at our sites, but may be a useful tool for evaluating restoration sites. Our work demonstrates the potential for expanding the scale of seed-based Z. marina restoration but the limiting factor remains the low rate of initial seedling establishment from broadcast seeds.

Decision-Aid Tool to Compare Costs of Mechanical Harvesting Systems

FE751, a 4-page illustrated fact sheet by Fritz Roka, provides instructions in the use of a Web-based tool to help growers and harvesting contractors organize relevant harvest cost information and then calculate and compare net harvest costs among all available harvesting options. Published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, September 2008.

Avaliação de atributos físicos e estoques de carbono e nitrogênio em solos com queima e sem queima de canavial

O Brasil é o maior produtor mundial de cana-de-açúcar, de modo que mudanças no seu manejo podem afetar sobremaneira o ambiente. Há quase um século, as pesquisas são baseadas em áreas sob queima da biomassa foliar (palhada) dessa cultura. Mas a supressão da queimada é um novo conceito no manejo da palhada. Portanto, há poucos resultados sobre o manejo desse material. O objetivo do estudo foi comparar teores de C e N e estabilidade de agregados e densidade do solo nos manejos com queima (Cq) e sem queima (Sq) da palhada. Estudou-se um solo argiloso (Latossolo Vermelho = LVdf) e dois solos arenosos (Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo = PVAd e Neossolo Quartzarênico = RQo) submetidos aos manejos Cq e Sq. Em cada solo foi estabelecida uma área experimental em blocos ao acaso com seis repetições. A quantidade de palhada adicionada em três colheitas foi 40 t ha-1 em matéria seca e, um ano após a terceira colheita, a acumulação foi 4,5 t ha-1 (11 %) no LVdf e 3,6 t ha-1 (9 %) no RQo. Isso representou 1,60 e 1,35 t ha-1 em C e 0,022 e 0,021 t ha-1 em N, respectivamente. Houve aumento no teor de C nos solos Sq, concorrendo em seqüestro de C na camada 0-20 cm de 6,3 e 4,7 t ha-1, respectivamente em LVdf e RQo. Assim, a taxa de seqüestro de C no compartimento cobertura + solo (0-20 cm) foi de 2,63 e 2,02 t ha-1 ano-1 no LVdf e RQo, respectivamente. Também houve aumento no teor de macroagregados em solos Sq comparados a solos Cq: 814 e 693 g kg-1 no LVdf e 516 e 420 g kg-1 no RQo. Ocorreu compactação superficial no PVAd e RQo em decorrência do uso de máquina colhedora em solo Sq. Nos solos estudados, o manejo sem queima da cana-de-açúcar resultou em melhorias nas propriedades dos solos e promoveu seqüestro de C e N na cobertura e nas camadas superficiais dos solos.

Assessment of the V45 Blueberry Harvester on Rabbiteye Blueberry and Southern Highbush Blueberry Pruned to V-Shaped Canopy

Mechanical harvesting systems for processed blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) are available. However, low harvest efficiency and high fruit damage have limited the use of mechanical harvesters for picking blueberries for fresh market to specific cultivars under good weather conditions. New harvesting technology for fresh-market blueberries is needed. The V45 harvester was developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1994 to harvest fresh-market-quality northern highbush (V. corymbosum) blueberries in Michigan. The current study was performed in Georgia to evaluate the V45 harvester on specially pruned rabbiteye blueberry [V. virgatum (syn. V. ashei)] and southern highbush blueberry (V. darrowi × V. corymbosum) and included analysis of harvest efficiency and fruit quality (percent blue fruit, percent bloom, percent split skin, and internal bruise damage). Six-year-old, 6- to 8-ft-tall ‘Brightwell’ and ‘Powderblue’ rabbiteye blueberry plants were winter pruned to remove vertically growing and overarching canes in the center of the bush in Jan. 2004 and Feb. 2005 respectively. Three-year-old, 3- to 5-ft-tall ‘FL 86-19’ and ‘Star’ southern highbush blueberry plants were similarly pruned in summer (June 2004) or in winter (Feb. 2005). Pruning removed an estimated 30% to 50% of the canopy and opened the middle, resulting in V-shaped plants in both rabbiteye and southern highbush blueberries. Yield of winter-pruned ‘Brightwell’ rabbiteye blueberry was lower compared with unpruned plants during both years, but winter-pruned ‘Powderblue’ rabbiteye blueberry plants produced as much as unpruned plants in 2005. In ‘FL 86-19’ southern highbush blueberry, plants that were summer pruned in June 2004 produced as much as unpruned plants in 2005, but plants that were winter pruned in Feb. 2005 had lower yields than unpruned plants in 2005. The V45 harvester caused little cane damage on pruned blueberry plants. In rabbiteye blueberries, internal fruit damage and skin splitting was less in V45-harvested fruit than in fruit harvested by a sway harvester and nearly that of hand-harvested fruit. However, in ‘FL 86-19’ southern highbush blueberry, the V45 harvester detached a lower percentage of blue fruit and excessive amounts of immature and stemmed fruit. These findings suggest that the V45 harvester has the potential to harvest some rabbiteye blueberry cultivars mechanically with fruit quality approaching that of hand-harvested fruit.

Balanceo de un sistema de cosecha mecanizado utilizando simulación de eventos discretos.

Se analizó un sistema de cosecha mecanizado, operando en una faena a tala rasa de pino radiata y conformado por un feller buncher, un skidder con garra, un procesador y un trineumático. Un Modelo de Simulación de Eventos Discretos (MSED) fue desarrollado con el propósito de balancear el sistema. El proceso mecanizado de madera fue el limitante del sistema de acuerdo con los resultados del estudio de tiempos, entonces este proceso fue apoyado agregando a 3 operadores de motosierra para alcanzar una producción de 60,82 m3/Hora-Máquina (HM) en la configuración propuesta. Simulado el madereo se determinó que para balancear la producción obtenida en proceso, el skidder con garra debía operar a una distancia promedio de madereo (DPM) de 80 m, realizando una detención para completar una carga de cuatro fustes. Finalmente, el feller buncher puede usar hasta 1,6 minutos adicionales para formar las pilas que permitan lograr la producción esperada para el sistema. De acuerdo con la experimentación de simulación se podría lograr una producción del sistema de 60,39 m3/HM, si todas las modificaciones propuestas en volteo, apilado, madereo y proceso son realizadas.

Modeling and Analysis of Row Crop Harvesting Patterns by Combines

Studies have shown that mechanical harvesting systems are becoming increasingly more complex, and that with the increasing capacity and performance, there are opportunities to increase productivity of these systems. Technologies such as auto-tracking create the potential to provide some level of automation and achieve higher productivity. One area that can be addressed is the harvesting path pattern. A number of options exist for executing one or more of these patterns in the field. In addition, the turns at the ends of crop rows play a significant role in the total time spent in the field. Adding more than one combine to the harvesting operation in a field contributes further to the complexity of these systems and widens the choices that the operations manager has to make in organizing and conducting the harvesting of a field. The purpose of this study was to analyze path patterns for a single combine with particular emphasis on turns in the headland of the field. The turns are mathematically described in order to be able to create a model that can be used to make some comparisons between different harvesting scenarios. The model was verified with field data collected from harvesting corn. Varying corn head size and the number of lands had a big impact on the total idle time related to turning in the headland.

MECHANICAL HARVESTING OF PROCESSED APRICOTS OBJECTIVES

Hand harvesting apricots is a time-consuming task, accounting for more than 60% of the total labor time of thecrop in Spain. Moreover, the harvesting period is very short, around two weeks. This research aims to reduce costs byevaluating five mechanical harvesting systems on three different types of plantations. To detach the fruits, manual,tractor-hitched, and tractor-towed shakers were used in a range of 13.7 to 22.5 Hz that produced, at the branch level, peakaccelerations of 51 to 590 m/s2. All detachable fruits fell in less than 2.4 s. Harvesting costs were reduced from 0.107 euro/kgfor hand harvesting to 0.006 to 0.039 euro/kg for the mechanical systems, and the harvest rate per operator increased from56 kg/h for hand harvesting to 448 to 7680 kg/h for the mechanical systems. The quality of mechanically harvested fruits wasacceptable for processing. This study also demonstrated that selective harvesting of apricots according to maturity is difficult with vibratory systems.

The Design and Testing of a Cutter and Feeder Mechanism for the Mechanical Harvesting of Lentils

Although lentil is a valuable source of protein for humans and its straw is a highly valued animal feed, its production in West Asia and North Africa (WANA) is limited due to harvesting difficulties, including uneven ripening, lodging, growing of pods close to the ground, and shattering of seeds and leaves at maturity. Existing mechanical harvesting systems cause excessive seed (up to 55%) and leaf losses. Harvesting is therefore still commonly done by hand, but manual labour is becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. The objective of this study was to design and test a cutter/feeder mechanism for mechanical harvesting of lentils. A self-propelled experimental harvester, which cuts and collects shoots without threshing, was developed for this purpose. Its performance was compared to hand harvesting, in rolled and unrolled fields, using a split plot design. Lentils with 22% moisture (wet basis) were harvested, and then threshed using a stationary thresher. The experimental harvester was operated at 5 km h −1 and a cutting height of 59 mm above the ground. Shattering losses of seed and straw were not significantly different from that which occurred in hand harvesting ( F-statistic F<1). Residue losses were those left in the stubble, representing 2% of the seed and 20% of the straw, which can be partially recovered by grazing.

Resistência à compressão e remoção de folhas da cana-de-açúcar visando à colheita mecânica

A cultura de cana-de-açúcar ocupa um papel importante na economia brasileira, sendo sua colheita ainda em grande parte realizada manualmente, pelo método tradicional de colheita de cana-de-açúcar inteira. As colhedoras existentes no mercado adotaram uma tecnologia de picar a cana-de-açúcar em rebolos de 200 a 300 mm, para permitir sua transferência para o veículo de transporte que acompanha a colhedora, contradizendo o método tradicional de colheita. Para viabilizar a colheita mecânica de cana-de-açúcar inteira, uma das barreiras tecnológicas a ser vencida é a remoção da palha mecanicamente. Projetar um mecanismo que realize essa operação depende diretamente do conhecimento de propriedades mecânicas da cana-de-açúcar. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a resistência do colmo de cana-de-açúcar à compressão e determinar as forças necessárias para separar a folha do colmo. Ensaios de compressão foram realizados utilizando-se da máquina universal de ensaios. Para o ensaio de remoção de palha por atrito, um dispositivo especial foi projetado e construído de modo a permitir a determinação de esforços de tração e força normal. Os resultados mostram que a cana resiste a uma força de compressão na faixa de 4,9 MPa e que com uma pressão normal média de 0,8 MPa, que corresponde a uma força de fricção de 315 N, a folha é removida, independentemente de sua posição no internódio.

Log Damage and Value Loss Associated with Two Ground-Based Harvesting Systems in Central Appalachia

Log damage was examined in terms of volume and value losses by harvesting system, function, tree species, and log size in four central Appalachian hardwood sites. Observations were made of all grade logs during the felling, skidding, decking/sorting, and loading operations. Sawlogs sustaining damage to the bark or cambium were recorded with additional information obtained for the location, dimensions, and type of damage. The data were analyzed statistically to determine significant differences of damage and to estimate the potential damage probability of a log given select operational variables. The results suggest that motor-manual harvesting systems caused more damage to logs than mechanized harvesting systems. Felling resulted in significantly more log damage when compared to skidding, decking, and loading operations. Results also suggest that the process of skidding, decking, and loading of logs has very little impact on damage levels. Volume and value losses of damaged logs were not sensitive to tree species and log size.

Densely Planted Okra for Destructive Harvest: III. Effects of Nitrogen Nutrition

Research was conducted to develop a cultural system that would permit a destructive mechanical okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] harvest. Okra grown at a highly dense (HD) plant population of 25 × 23 cm and destructively harvested by machine was compared with control plants spaced at 90 × 23 cm and repeatedly and non-destructively harvested by hand. The control N fertilization regime was 45 kg·ha-1 of N preplant, followed by one or two topdressings, each with 22 kg·ha-1 of N. Treatments applied to HD plots were designed to be multiples of the control N fertilization levels. Preplant fertilizer was added such that the sum of residual soil N plus the added fertilizer would total to 45, 90, or 135 kg·ha-1 of N for the standard, intermediate, and highest rates, respectively. Topdressing rates were 22, 44, or 66 kg·ha-1 of N for standard, intermediate, and highest, respectively. Topdressing was timed to follow a mechanical harvest of the HD plots. Since there was only one mechanical harvest in the two 1995 studies, topdress N treatments did not affect yields from mechanical harvest in that year. Nitrogen treatments had few effects on fruit yield per hectare of HD okra, even when stem N concentrations equaled or exceeded those of control plants. The highest N rate tended to delay fruit production. Increasing N rates did not affect the marketable fruit yield obtained by mechanical harvest of HD plants expressed as a percentage of the total cumulative marketable fruit yield from control plants. Physiological factors appear to be limiting the potential for densely planted okra in a destructive mechanical harvest system rather than horticultural factors such as N nutrition.

Profitability of Grazing Versus Mechanical Forage Harvesting on New York Dairy Farms

The profitability of rotational grazing versus mechanical harvesting of forages was estimated using data from 237 nongrazing and 57 grazing farms participating in the New York farm business summary program in the year 2000. The objective was to perform an empirical comparison of the profitability of grazing versus mechanical forage harvesting systems. A regression analysis technique that controls for treatment selection bias is used to determine the impact of grazing on the rate of return on assets. This is accomplished by joint maximum likelihood estimation of a probit adoption function and a profit function. The results indicate that treatment selection does not have an important impact on the estimate of the profitability of grazing. There were wide ranges and overlap of profitability among herds using the two systems. However, other things equal, farmers utilizing grazing systems were at least if not more profitable than farmers not using grazing systems. After controlling for the factors influencing the decision to graze, we found that herd size, rate of milk production per cow, and prices received for milk have a strong positive impact on profitability. Farmers who perceive potential lifestyle benefits that might be obtained by implementing a grazing system likely do not have to pay an income penalty for adopting a grazing system.

Treading Resistance and Breeding of Guineagrass Suitable for Rollbale

The decrease in dry matter production in guineagrass by the use of a mechanical harvesting system was investigated in terms of treading resistance. It was revealed that treading treatment of stubbles led to a serious decrease in dry matter production while shading of stubbles by foliage did not result in an appreciable decrease in dry matter production. A cultivar resistant to treading was found to show more stems at the time of cutting and better tiller regeneration after harvest. Most of the tillers trodden using a tractor regenerated from the nodes near the ground level, whereas cultivars with a low treading resistance regenerated new tillers from the higher nodes, suggesting the presence of a strong apical dominance. Analysis of varietal differences in the treading resistance indicated that the tiller number and apical dominance could become morphological and physiological selection criteria for the treading resistance, respectively. Based on this assumption, 3,541 plants consisting of 318 accessions of genetic resources were evaluated for their morphological traits and apical dominance over a period of 7 years. Several candidate strains were then investigated for their treading resistance, and one strain with a strong treading resistance and suitability for rollbale harvest was eventually selected, and released as a new cultivar named Natsukomaki in 1999. Natsukomaki belongs to the slender guinea grass group characterized by fine stems, small leaves and a short plant height. Drying rate and flexibility of stems and leaves were outstanding in Natsukomaki. Hay from Natsukomaki contained a higher TDN content, and showed a good digestibility and high palatability.

Responses of “Little Leaf” vs. Normal Cucumber to Planting Density and Chlorflurenol

Two field experiments were conducted in Bet Hashita (1992) and Newe Ya'ar (1993), Israel, in order to examine the possibility of using plant growth habit, chlorflurenol, and plant population density to concentrate yield of pickling cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under a simulated once-over mechanical harvest system. Two near-isogenic cucumber lines, WI 1983G normal and WI 1983G little leaf, were grown under three plant densities, 5, 10, and 20 plants/m2, and at flowering half of the plants were treated with 50 mg·L-1 chlorflurenol solution. The little leaf line produced a smaller canopy than the normal line under five plants/m2 but a larger canopy under 20 plants/m2. The average commercial yield of the little leaf line was higher than that of the normal leaf line by 28% and 55% in Bet Hashita and in Newe Ya'ar, respectively. The highest yield of each line was achieved under the highest plant density. The average commercial yields under 20 plants/m2 were 1.13 and 0.91 kg·m-2 in Bet Hashita and 1.86 and 0.92 kg·m-2 in Newe Ya'ar for little leaf and normal leaf, respectively. Chlorflurenol increased fruit number per unit area but did not increase yield. Nevertheless, it increased the proportion of small fruits, which are more valuable. The present study shows that the little leaf growth habit can increase the yield concentration in pickling cucumber and make this crop more suitable for a once-over mechanical harvest. Chemical name used: methyl-2-chloro-9-hydroxyfluorene-9-carboxylate (chlorflurenol).