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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Kearneysville, West Virginia » Appalachian Fruit Research Laboratory » Innovative Fruit Production, Improvement, and Protection » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #383680
Research Project: Integrated Production and Automation Systems for Temperate Fruit Crops

Location: Innovative Fruit Production, Improvement, and Protection

Title: Transitioning from hand to machine harvesting blueberries for fresh market

Author
item Takeda, Fumiomi
item YANG, WEI - Oregon State University
item LI, CHANGYING - University Of Georgia
item WASKO DEVETTER, LISA - Washington State University
item SARGENT, STEVEN - University Of Florida
item WILLIAMSON, JEFFREY - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Progressive Crop Consultant
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/5/2021
Publication Date: 5/11/2021
Citation: Takeda, F., Yang, W.Q., Li, C., Wasko Devetter, L., Sargent, S., Williamson, J. 2021. Transitioning from hand to machine harvesting blueberries for fresh market. Progressive Crop Consultant. May/June Issue, p. 4-10.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In the United States, more blueberries for fresh market are being machine harvested to reduce harvesting costs. However, machine harvested blueberries have more internal bruise damage which reduces berry quality and shortens their shelf life, compared to hand picked blueberries. Our research developed a better understanding of what causes bruise and working with a harvest machine manufacturer to reduce bruise damage. New sensor technologies developed by this research project for blueberry sorting will assist in reducing bruised berries in fresh packs. New knowledge and technology will foster improvements in mechanical harvester designs and fruit sorting operation to enable high blueberries going into fresh pack distribution to consumers.