Project Number: 1931-21440-003-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Feb 11, 2004
End Date: Feb 10, 2009

Objective:
Develop principles and systems for automated/mechanical harvesting tree fruits to improve labor productivity and reduce grower costs while maintaining fresh market quality by: 1) continuing development of a mechanical harvesting system for apples grown on narrow-inclined trellises; 2) complete development of a mechanical harvesting system for stemless sweet cherries; and 3) develop a harvest aid for apples and pears grown on narrow trellises that incorporates in-field sorting. Develop principles and sensors for objectively assessing the post-harvest quality of apples and incorporate these sensing techniques into an automatic inspection system for sorting apples. Emphasis will be to: 1) complete development of automated system for detecting surface defects on apples, 2) develop sensors and techniques to determine internal defects, and 3) develop sensors and technology for measuring apple taste parameters.

Approach:
Novel cultural practices and tree training systems will be integrated with innovative machine concepts to yield fresh market quality harvesters. For ARS's experimental apple harvest system, fruit location with respect to canopy characteristics and shaker impulse position will be studied to determine effect on fruit damage and stempulls. In experimental orchards, training techniques will be developed that place fruit in position for efficient removal and unobstructed free-fall. Apple cultivars will be evaluated for their adaptability for machine harvest. Research on mechanical harvesting stemless sweet cherries will identify compatible cultivars and training system, and emphasize technology transfer. Research on the apple harvest aid will identify optimum picker location, develop efficient infield sorting techniques, and develop fruit handling components that eliminate damage. Field-testing under commercial conditions will determine economic feasibility. Complete development of automated system for detecting surface defects on apples by: 1) improving orientation hardware, 2) developing optical system to identify improper orientation, 3) refining defect detecting algorithms, and 4) extensively test to determine performance and commercial potential. Develop techniques for detecting and classifying internal apple defects through analysis of transmission and reflection spectra, and then develop simplified equipment for on-line use. Develop sensors and technology for measuring apple taste parameters. Determine correlation between reflectance spectra and taste parameters using multivariate analysis of the spectral data and results from taste panels. The work will be based primarily on reflectance spectra in the region between 700 and 1100 nm. Equipment and software will be developed which will permit promising techniques to be used in real time and on-line.

Project Team

Peterson, Donald Swietlik, Dariusz - Darek

Related National Programs

Crop Production (305)   Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products (306)

Related Projects

Mechanical Harvester for Fresh Market Quality Stemless Sweet Cherries    Picking Aid for Fresh Market Quality Apples Grown on Narrow Trellises    Improved Pesticide Application    Mechanical Sweet Cherry Harvesting