Effects of an integrated harvest system on the quality of olive fruit for small producers

Small producers confront specific challenges when they opt to produce high-quality olive fruit. Limited resources for investing in harvest machinery and manpower are the main reasons for continuing a traditional harvest method that puts the final product and its economic value at risk. This paper discusses the efficiency of an integrated harvest system as a possible solution to these specific challenges. The system is formed by a newly designed manual harvesting device and the use of a cooling room near the olive grove. Both systems were evaluated to assess their feasibility for optimum conditions before processing. The combined effect of the harvesting method and cold storage on the fruit characteristics (incidence of decay, skin color, weight loss, firmness, respiration, and ethylene production) was evaluated on three different varieties (‘Arbequina’, ‘Picual’ and ‘Verdial’) and four different storage times (0, 4, 8, and 14 days). The results indicate that the proposed harvesting method in combination with an appropriate cooling system offers an affordable alternative for obtaining fruit with the best physiological characteristics.

DESIGN AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF FLEXIBLE THRESHING UNIT FOR CHINESE CABBAGE SEEDS

In order to solve the problems of low efficiency of artificial harvesting method and high breakage rate and undepurated rate of traditional threshing method, a new flexible threshing device of Chinese cabbage seeds was designed, which was composed of flexible round head nail teeth and circular tube concave plate. Hertz contact collision theory was used to analyze and determine the structural parameters of the new threshing unit. The interaction force of different threshing elements materials were analyzed by using EDEM. The feasibility of the flexible threshing unit was verified by the comparison test of the distribution of threshed mixture. Finally, the orthogonal test was carried out to study the influence of the movement parameters of each structure on the cleaning rate and the rate of undepurated, and the weight matrix method was used to optimize it. The results indicate that under the condition the rotating speed of the threshing cylinder 750 rpm, the concave clearance 20 mm, and the feeding rate 1.4 kg/s, the threshing performance of the flexible threshing unit was the best. At this time, the breaking rate was 0.064%, and the un-threshing rate was 0.67%, which both met the relevant industry standards.

Review and analysis of technologies for harvesting perennial grain crops

In agriculture, according to the data of the statistical collection, the production of grain crops occupies a large part. At the moment, much attention is paid to the study of perennial crops such as Thinopyrum intermedium and Trititrigia cziczinii Tsvelev. These crops help to: slow down soil erosion, protect water resources, and minimize the leaching of nutrients [1,2]. The non-cereal part of the crop is a significant reserve for strengthening the fodder base of animal husbandry, expanding the range of sources of raw materials for the microbiological industry in the production of fodder proteins. The article provides an overview of technologies and equipment for harvesting grain crops, on the basis of which one of the optimal harvesting method for perennial crops is distinguished - stripping. Based on the results of the literature review, the main technologies used for harvesting grain crops were identified: direct and indirect singlephase and two-phase combine harvesting technologies; one-, two- or three-phase non-combine harvesting technologies including the “neveika” method; standing stripping technology. The purpose of this article is to review existing harvesting technologies and equipment, selection of the optimal harvesting technology for perennial crops such as Trititrigia cziczinii Tsvelev and Thinopyrum intermedium.

Bioflocculation of Euglena gracilis via direct application of fungal filaments: a rapid harvesting method

The high cost and environmental impact of traditional microalgal harvesting methods limit commercialization of microalgal biomass. Fungal bioflocculation of microalgae is a promising low-cost, eco-friendly method but the range of fungal and microalgal species tested to date is narrow. Here, eight non-pathogenic, filamentous fungi were screened for their ability to self-pelletize and flocculate Euglena gracilis (ca.50 µm motile microalga) in suspension. Self-pelletization was tested under various rotational speeds, and species which formed pellets (Ø > 0.5 cm) were selected for harvesting tests. Filaments of each species were combined with E. gracilis at various ratios based on dry weight. Harvesting efficiency was determined by measuring the change in cell counts over time, and settling of the flocs was evaluated by batch settling tests. Three fungal species, Ganoderma lucidum, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Penicillium restrictum, were able to reliably flocculate and harvest 62–75% of the microalgae while leaving it unharmed. The results demonstrated that self-pelletization, harvesting, and settling were dependent on the fungal species. The fungi to algae ratio also had significant but contrasting effects on harvesting and settling. In balancing the needs to both harvest and settle the biomass, the optimal fungi to algae ratio was 1:2. The application of fungal filaments to microalgae in suspension produced readily settling flocs and was less time-consuming than other commonly used methods. This method is especially attractive for harvesting microalgal biomass for low-value products where speed, low cost, and cell integrity is vital.

Development and Performance Evaluation of a Hand-Pushed Tiger Nut Harvester

Harvesting is one of the major problems encountered by tiger nut farmers in Nigeria. Manual harvesting system is the most commonly used method. This process is costly, labour intensive and time-consuming. The process does not also give farmers adequate returns to enable them to break even due to huge losses encountered. The objective of this study was to design, construct and evaluate a hand-pushed harvester that would eliminate the challenges being faced by small and medium tiger nut farmers during harvesting. Materials selection for constructing the harvester were based on their durability and availability, affordability and ease of replacement if damaged. They include mild steel (3 mm, 5 mm), 30 mm galvanized steel hollow pipe, 10 mm diameter steel rod, and 400 mm steel tyre. The developed harvester was evaluated at the experimental farm of the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR). Results of the study show that the average field capacity ranges from 0.28 – 0.33 ha/h while the average field efficiency was between 77.78 – 80.49% depending on operating speed, moisture content and other properties of the soil. No field damage was recorded when the harvester was used as against an approximate 10.50% damage recorded in the manual harvesting method.

Analysing the Impact of Harvesting Methods on the Quantity of Harvesting Residues: An Australian Case Study

Many parameters can influence the weight of harvesting residues per hectare that remain on plantation sites after extracting sawlogs and pulpwoods. This study aimed at quantifying the impact of the cut-to-length and whole-tree harvesting methods on the weight of harvesting residues using 26 case studies in Australian plantations. A database was created using case studies conducted in different plantations, to measure the weight of harvesting residues per hectare and the components of harvesting residues. An analysis of variance was applied to test the impact made by the harvesting methods. The results confirmed that the cut-to-length harvesting method produced a larger weight of residues (104.0 tonnes of wet matter per hectare (tWM/ha) without additional biomass recovery and 64.7 tWM/ha with additional biomass recovery after sawlog/pulpwood extraction) than the whole-tree harvesting method (12.5 tWM/ha). The fraction test showed that stem wood formed the largest proportion of the harvesting residues in cut-to-length sites and needles were the largest component of the pine harvesting residues in sites cleared by the whole-tree harvesting method. The outcomes of this study could assist plantation managers to set proper strategies for harvesting residues management. Future research could study the impact of product type, silvicultural regime, stand quality, age, equipment, etc., on the weight of harvesting residues.

A Literature Review on Cable Extraction Practices of South Korea: 1990–2020

Cable yarding technology remains the most effective operation in steep terrain harvesting systems; however, it has limitations and challenges. Using cable yarders (tractor-, truck-, and excavator-based) to extract tree lengths and whole trees has been common since the late 20th century in South Korea, and cable yarding operations were developed in the late 1800s in the United States and Europe. Machine potential and limitations must be understood to ensure the widespread use of technology, strong cooperation, and optimal selection of machinery size. We reviewed the literature on tower yarder performances from 1990–2021 to determine the alteration of yarders and its productivity pattern and obtained 23 papers; <2 publications per year discussed the determination of cable yarding productivity. We selected independent variables (e.g., silvicultural treatment, harvesting method, and cycle log volume) for cable yarding that would likely affect productivity. Data were analyzed to compare productivities under silvicultural treatment, the harvesting method, and yarding direction and identify the interaction mechanical power (i.e., lifting capacity and machine power), yarding distance, and slope. Cable yarder productivity rates generally depended on the silvicultural treatment, harvesting method, and yarding direction, particularly in clear-cut, tree-length, and uphill yarding operation activities. The lifting capacity, machine power, and slope had no significant correlation with yarders’ productivity, particularly in thinning operations, whereas, in clear-cut productivity, it was influenced by these variables. The results contribute to improving operation activities for cable yarding systems and towards future research directions.

Timeliness Harvesting Loss of Rice in Cold Region under Different Mechanical Harvesting Methods

The yield loss during the process of harvesting is a great challenge in rice production. A suitable harvesting time and harvesting method can help to reduce the yield losses of rice, and decisions about the harvest date have important implications for labor management as well as for agricultural machinery scheduling. Nonetheless, the comprehensive composition of timeliness harvesting loss (THL) and its changing rules for different harvesting methods remain poorly understood. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of harvest date and mechanical harvesting methods on grain dry matter timeliness loss (GDMTL) and mechanical timeliness losses (MTL) of rice in the cold region. To this end, the field experiment was conducted from 45 days after heading (45 DAH) to 59 days after heading (59 DAH), adopting a full-feeding and semi-feeding combine harvester (FCH and SCH) from 2019 to 2020. The results showed that harvest date had a significant effect on GDMTL and four kinds of MTL including header timeliness loss (HTL), cleaning timeliness loss (CTL), un-threshed timeliness loss (UTTL), and entrainment timeliness loss (ETL, only under FCH). With the prolonged harvest date, the HTL and CTL increased and the UTTL and ETL decreased, which ranged from 0.15–0.31%, 0.36–0.67%, 0.72–0.18%, and 0.69–0.31%, respectively for FCH. For SCH, the variation range of HTL, CTL, and UTTL was 0.41–0.59%, 0.66–0.98%, and 0.64–0.21%, respectively. The GDMTL increased first and then decreased, ranging from 2.84–0.87%. The mechanical harvesting methods had no significant effect on the GDMTL of rice, but the MTL could be large between FCH and SCH. In general, optimal harvest period was 52 DAH~53 DAH for both harvesting methods, which exhibited the highest yield and the lowest loss, i.e., 9269.3 kg/hm2 and 1.70%, respectively, and the mechanical operating mode on different harvest dates was recommended to minimize the mechanical loss. The optimal harvest date for rice in a cold region ensured both quality and quantity for mechanized harvesting, and provided a reference for the reasonable allocation of operating harvesters in the harvesting season.

Modal Analysis and Experiment of a Lycium barbarum L. Shrub for Efficient Vibration Harvesting of Fruit

The most common harvesting method of Lycium barbarum L. (L. barbarum) is manual harvesting, resulting in low efficiency and high cost. Meanwhile, the efficiency of vibration harvesting, which is considered an efficient mechanical harvesting method, can be significantly improved if the optimized resonance frequency of the shrub can be obtained. To vibration harvest fruit efficiently, a 3D model of the shrub was established based on measurements of the shape parameters, and material mechanics models of the branches were established based on physical tests. The modal analysis of the shrub based on finite element method (FEM) simulation was performed to obtain the range of resonance frequency, and the modal experiment of the shrub using acceleration sensors and an impact hammer was conducted to obtain the accurate resonance frequency. Based on the results of the modal analysis and experiment, the optimized resonance frequency was determined to be 2 Hz. The field experiment showed that the fruit fell off when the branches were vibrated at this frequency. The results provide the design basis for the efficient vibration harvesting of L. barbarum.

Finite Element Method Simulations and Experiments of Detachments of Lycium barbarum L.

When harvesting Lycium barbarum L., excess amounts of detachments of the half-ripe fruit, unripe fruit, flowers, and leaves significantly affect the yield and adversely affect the subsequent processing, such as drying and grading. Finite element method (FEM) simulations and experiments of detachments were performed to harvest more ripe fruit and less half-ripe fruit, unripe fruit, flowers, and leaves. Three-dimensional (3D) models of the ripe fruit, half-ripe fruit, unripe fruit, flowers, leaves, fruit calyxes (flower calyx), fruit stems (flower stem), and branches were constructed using a 3D scanner, and material mechanics models of the above parts were established based on physical tests with universal testing machines. Detachment simulations and experiments of the ripe fruit, half-ripe fruit, unripe fruit, flowers, and leaves were performed to determine the detachment mechanisms and sequences. The detachment forces of each set of two parts were obtained. The field experiments showed that the detachment force between the fruit and calyx of ripe fruit was the lowest value of these forces, and only the ripe fruit was the first to detach from the calyx when harvesting. The results provided data support on the mechanics properties of wood and the optimization basis for the harvesting method of L. barbarum.