Academic literature on the topic 'Harvest technology'

In this 2-year study, ‘Brown Snout’ specialty cider apples (Malus ×domestica) that had been hand harvested or machine harvested with an over-the-row shake-and-catch small fruit harvester were ambient stored (56 °F mean temperature) for 0, 2, and 4 weeks to evaluate yield, fruit damage, yield loss, and juice quality characteristics. The average yield (pounds per acre) of fruit picked and retained by the mechanical harvester was 74% that of the hand-harvest yield and 81% that of the hand-harvest yield when fruit that fell out of the harvester was included in the machine-harvest yield. Percent fruit bruised and cut were greater for machine harvest (97.5% and 25.5%, respectively) than for hand harvest (47% and 0.5%, respectively), on average for 2014 and 2015. Yield loss to rot was greater for machine harvest than for hand harvest, and increased for both methods over time; percent rot doubled from 2 to 4 weeks storage for machine harvest (22% to 41%), and while negligible, tripled from 2 to 4 weeks storage for hand harvest (0.7% to 2.1%). Juice quality characteristics did not differ due to harvest method, but did differ due to year and storage time. Soluble solids concentration [SSC (%)] and specific gravity (SG) did not change due to storage in 2014, but in 2015, SSC and SG were greater on average for 2 and 4 weeks storage duration (15% and 1.062, respectively) than at harvest (13.31% and 1.056, respectively). Titratable acidity (grams per liter malic acid) decreased in 2014 from 2.98 g·L−1 at harvest to 2.70 g·L−1 on average for 2 and 4 weeks storage duration, but did not differ due to storage in 2015. Tannin [tannic acid equivalent (%)] was unchanged in 2014 from harvest to 4 weeks storage, but increased in 2015 from 0.16% at harvest to 0.19% by 4 weeks storage. These results indicate that harvest efficiency could be improved with some engineering modifications of the over-the-row mechanical harvester and training modifications for the trees. A comparison of the aromatic and phenolic contents of mechanically harvested and hand-harvested ‘Brown Snout’ would be a valuable next step in evaluating shake-and-catch mechanical harvest technology for cider apple production.

Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) is Australia’s most widely sown annual pasture legume. Its widespread use as a pasture plant requires a well-functioning seed production industry, and Australia is the only significant producer of subterranean clover seed globally. However, the sustainability of this industry is under threat due to its reliance on ageing harvest equipment and the resultant environmental impacts. In order to evaluate seed harvesting practices, technology, and issues, we report on case studies, workshops, and a survey of seed producers across southern Australia. The Horwood Bagshaw Clover Harvester, designed in the 1950s, remains the most popular subterranean clover seed harvester. We discuss its use and modifications, and document several contemporary issues facing the seed production industry. Issues are primarily soil erosion and degradation; the expensive, slow and labour-intensive harvest process; and poor reliability and maintainability of harvesters that are now at least 30 years old. We conclude the root cause of these issues is the suction harvest technology utilised by the Horwood Bagshaw Clover Harvester. Analysis of the current harvest system is provided to support the development of new approaches to harvest subterranean clover seeds.

<p>Aquaponics is an integrated food production technology of aquaculture and hydroponics. Lettuce (<em>Lactuca sativa </em>L.) is an economically important vegetable crop that can be grown aquaponically. In addition to selecting the right choice of lettuce cultivars, developing an optimal harvest strategy could increase lettuce production. Lettuce production using two harvest methods, Cut-and-Come-Again (CC) and Once-and-Done (OD), was evaluated using ‘Red Sails’ lettuce in a flow-through aquaponic system rearing trout. With the CC method continual harvesting was possible on a weekly basis after the initial harvest, while it took five weeks for each harvest using the OD method. The total yield of lettuce by the CC method was 6.7 kg from 9 trays, while 22.6 kg of lettuce was harvested by the OD method using 54 trays. In harvests by the OD method, 6 times as many seeds were sown compared to the CC method. The average yield per tray harvested by the CC method (744.4 g/tray) was 78% higher than that by the OD method (418.5 g/tray) because the CC method used 6 times less trays. Productivity, calculated by the average yield per growing week, of the two harvest methods at the first harvest was similar, but 4.8 times higher in the CC method than in the OD method at the second harvest due to the shorter harvest time. However, visual and decay ratings of lettuce harvested by the CC method began to decline afterwards. Together, the OD method after two consecutive harvests by the CC method would help growers to obtain increased yield of quality lettuce.</p>

Harvest of fresh market, southern highbush blueberries (SHB) is labor intensive and costly, leading to a demand for alternative harvest methods. Recent research has shown potential for mechanically harvesting blueberries with minimal bruising by using a modified over-the-row (OTR) harvester. For two harvests, SHB cultivars Optimus and Vireo were either hand-harvested (HH) or mechanically harvested (MH) by two commercial harvesters, one unmodified with standard hard-catch surfaces (HCS) or by the other modified with soft-catch surfaces (SCS). For Harvest 1, fruit from all harvest methods were hand-sorted into the following categories: blue fruit (marketable), red fruit, green fruit and culls. Samples from each cultivar and treatment were then held at 24 °C overnight, and the following day firmness and impact bruise severity were determined. Harvest 2 had identical harvest treatments; however, the fruit were sorted on a commercial packing line prior to packing in clamshells (n = 16). A subsample was held overnight as in Harvest 1 for bruise severity rating, while the remaining fruit were stored at 1 °C for 14 days (d). Although percent marketable fruit was more affected by cultivar than harvest method, determination of bruise severity revealed the benefit of harvest with SCS over HCS for both cultivars. The former had 16–26% severe bruising, compared to 27–40% for the latter; HH had 1–4%. During storage, HH fruit remained firmer than HCS and SCS, which were similar. After 14 d, firmness for “Optimus” was 239 N (HH), 157 N (HCS and SCS) and for “Vireo” it was 189 (HH), 155 N (HCS and SCS). Fruit weight loss increased during storage (1.1–4.4%), but there was no difference due to catch plate surface. SSC, TTA and Ratio were not affected by catch surface type or storage period within cultivar. Using modifications such as “soft” catch surfaces on currently available OTR harvesters reduces impact bruise damage; however, impacts incurred during commercial packing operations can negate this effect. MH for fresh market blueberries may provide an economical alternative for blueberry growers; however, with current technology, the fruit should be utilized within a week of harvest.

Australia's outstanding economic success in recent years has been aided by significant developments in science and technology research and by the ways in which research has been exploited for commercial development. Australia's success in this respect, and its rapid and sometimes innovative development of such vehicles for R&D exploitation as science and technology parks, makes it a suitable case for study. This paper arises from the findings of a study mission from the UK, which set out to identify and analyse the various ways in which Australia is addressing the challenge of science and technology exploitation. The authors focus on current science, technology and innovation policies at state and national levels, and assess the various ways in which science and technology parks have been used as vehicles for innovation, business development and economic regeneration. The paper is divided into three main parts: Part 1 discusses policy issues at state and Commonwealth levels; Part 2 is concerned with technology, innovation and economic regeneration and describes various science and technology park developments; and Part 3 assesses the ways in which university-industry links are manifested in science and technology parks. A concluding section summarizes the key aspects of Australia's strategy for economic development through science and technology, in terms of both policy and implementation.

Limited facilities and infrastructure in rice farming activities, especially in post-harvest processing has resulted in a farming communities become unproductive to processing their harvested products. Despite these problems has been tried to be overcome by the farming communities by making some tools for agricultural needs with tools and improvised materials, like a self-made rice thresher tools that made from used wood waste, of course the ability of productivity is very much different when using factory-made rice thresher. This PKM activity aims to introduce and train the farming communities to be able to process their rice crop yields using appropriate technology, like with a rice thresher machine and a rice husk machine. The main target in this PKM activity is a community of Tani Jaya Mandiri Group which in Kelurahan Batu Layang RT05/RW13 Kecamatan Pontianak Utara, which still has limited facilities for their agricultural activities. The method applied in this PKM activity is the diffusion of science and technology, socialization and active participation from the community. So with the existence of this PKM activity, the farming community get knowledge and skills in processing their post-harvest rice products, and is expected to be able to help overcome their productiviy problems due to the limited agricultural facilities they have

This research aims to find out (1) some factors that influence the farmers in using post-harvest technology equipment in Aceh Besar Regency (2) the differences of farmers income using combine harvester and power thresher. The respondents were selected by purposive sampling in 3 Sub-district in Aceh Besar, the amount of the farmers was taken by Slovin’s. The data used were primary and secondary data and the method of the data analysis were logistic regression analysis and t test. The result of this research showed that the selected of post-harvest technology equipment and education influence the labor and grain dryness while the machine working time and grain dryness did not significantly influenced the farmers in choosing the technology of post-harvest equipment and there was a different income for the using of power thresher and combine harvester at 21,69%.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Grapes are lost annually due to spoilage by Botrytis cinerea. Botrytis cinerea is currently controlled using fungicides and SO2 fumigation in storage rooms but with limited success. Although these techniques have been used for decades they have been associated with numerous of disadvantages. Fungicides are restricted from being used during storage due to legislation and toxicity of the fungicides present on the surface of the berries. SO2 fumigation does not kill the dormant infections present inside the grape tissue and if the SO2 concentration is too high the berries are damaged. During this study two different polymer nanofibrous platforms was synthesized in an attempt to prevent the rotting effect of B. cinerea. The first polymer was modified to yield a polymer with a positively charged quaternized nitrogen moiety, which was subsequently reacted with sodium metabisulfite through an ion exchange process. The modified polymer was electrospun into nanofibrous mats for the benefit of the nanofibers’ high available surface area. A further functionalization was done to increase the quantity of sodium metabisulfite on the surface of the polymer nanofibers. Sodium metabisulfite salt released SO2 gas upon reaction with water vapour present in the atmosphere which resulted in the inhibition of conidial germination of B. cinerea. The second polymer was synthesized and then electrospun into polymer nanofibrous mats followed by chemical modification of the electrospun polymer nanofibers. This post-electrospun modification resulted in the covalent attachment of a fungicide-derivative to the surface of the polymer nanofibers. The fungicide-derivative showed excellent inhibition of B. cinerea mycelium growth. Anti-fungal studies were conducted using the two modified polymer nanofibrous mats against B. cinerea to evaluate these nanofibrous surfaces as B. cinerea inhibiting membranes. Results indicated that B. cinerea conidial germination and mycelium growth were successfully inhibited.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Druiwe bederf jaarliks weens die verrottende effek van die fungi Botrytis cinerea. Botrytis cinerea word tans beheer deur gebruik te maak van swamdoders en swaweldioksied (SO2) besproeiings in stoorkamers, maar met beperkte sukses. Alhoewel hierdie tegnieke al vir dekades in gebruik is, word dit geassosieer met verskeie probleme. Die gebruik van swamdoders word in stoorkamers verbied, weens die moontlike skadelike inname daarvan deur die mens aangesien die swamdoders op die druiwe se oppervlakte teenwoordig is. SO2-gasbesproeiings maak nie dormante infeksies binne-in die druiwe self dood nie en indien SO2 -konsentrasies te hoog is kan dit die druiwe beskadig. Tydens hierdie studie is twee verskillende polimeer-nanoveselplatforms gesintetiseer met die doel om die verrottende effek van B. cinerea te voorkom. Die eerste polimeer is aangepas met ’n primêre amienverbinding met die doel dat dit deur ‘n opvolgende modifikasiereaksie verander om sodoende ’n polimeer met ‘n kwatenêre ammoniumgroep te verkry. Die doel van die kwatenêre eienskap is dat ioniese uitruiling plaasvind tussen die anioon van die polimeer en die natruimmetabisulfiet-anioon van die sout. Die voorbereide kopolimeer is geëlektrospin in nanoveselmatte deur middel van die enkelnaald-en-enkelbal-elektrospintegniek om SMI-qC12 nanovesels te lewer wat gefunksionaliseer is. Die nanoveselmatte is na die elektrospinproses verder aangepas om die hoeveelheid natruimmetabisulfiet op die oppervlak van die nanovesels te verhoog. Die natruimmetabisulfiet stel SO2-gas vry sodra dit in aanraking kom met waterdamp in die lug wat ’n beperkende effek op spoorontkieming van B. cinerea tot gevolg het. Die tweede polimeer is voor en na die elektrospinproses gefunksionaliseer met gesintetiseerde organiese verbindings (swamdoder). Die aanpassing van die polimeer met die organiese verbindings het plaasgevind op ‘n kovalente wyse om te verhoed dat die organiese verbinding vrygelaat word tydens gebruik. Die organiese verbindings het effektiewe beperking van miselium-groei getoon. Anti-swamstudies is uitgevoer tussen die twee gefunksionaliseerde polimeer platforms en B. cinerea om die oppervlaktes van die gefunksionaliseerde polimeer/nanovesels te evalueer as B. cinerea beperkende platforms. Resultate het aangetoon dat spoorontkieming en miselium groei van B. cinerea suksesvol beperk is.

The post-harvest quality of perishable produce changes rapidly due to the accelerated rate of respiration, transpiration and ripening. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of pectin and alginate based composite coatings on the shelf life extension of cherry tomatoes and to study the effect of an abiotic stress on enhancing antioxidant properties of cranberries. Two composite coating formulations were evaluated, a pectin based formulation with 3% pectin, 1.35% sorbitol, 1.2% bees wax and 0.36% monoglycerides, and an alginate based formulation with 2% alginate, 1.35% sorbitol, 1.2% bees wax and 0.36% monoglycerides. Whole cherry tomatoes were coated with one of the composite coatings and air dried at room temperature for a period of 3 h, transferred to preformed plastic containers and stored at selected temperatures (4, 12 and 24°C) along with a control. Alginate coated cherry tomatoes were additionally dipped in 2% CaCl2 before drying to enhance film formation. Several quality parameters of the fruit - weight loss, respiration rate, color, texture, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH and total polyphenols were evaluated during selected time intervals. The control had a shelf life of 12, 15 and 18 days, at 24, 12 and 4°C, respectively, whereas both pectin and alginate coated samples had a respective shelf a life of 15, 18 and 21 days at 24, 12 and 4°C respectively demonstrating a 17-25% shelf-life enhancement. Overall, pectin coated cherry tomatoes had better quality in terms than alginate coated samples, both being better than control. Cranberry fruits were subjected to abiotic stress in hot water at 40, 50 and 60°C for 1-10 min and evaluated for enhanced anti-oxidant properties. Treated fruits were removed from the hot water, drained, air dried, packed in plastic containers and stored at 4°C for 24 h allowing the fruits to relax/repair the stress damage. Total polyphenols, color and texture changes were evaluated. The hot water hormesis treatment at 60°C for 1 min resulted in an increment of the total polyphenols from 120 mg (control) to 258 mg and also showed the maximum color difference (ΔE) of 12.8 likely because of the accumulation of polyphenols. Samples treated for 1 min at 40°C also improved the firmness of the fruit. Hence hot water hormesis shows the potential to enhance the nutritive values of the fruits which can be applied at commercial level to improve the marketability of the fresh produce.
La qualité des produits post-récoltes change rapidement due à la vitesse accélérée de la respiration, de la transpiration, et de la maturation. Le but de ce travail était de déterminer l'effet d un enrobage , formé de pectine et d'alginate, sur l'extension de la durée de conservation des tomates cerises et d'étudier l'effet d'un stress abiotique sur l'amélioration des propriétés antioxydantes des canneberges. Deux formulations d' enrobages ont été évaluées : une formulation à base de pectine avec 3% de pectine, 1,35% de sorbitol, 1,2% de cire d'abeille et 0,36% de monoglycérides, et une formulation à base d'alginate avec 2% d'alginate, 1,35% de sorbitol, 1,2% de cire d'abeille et 0,36% de monoglycérides. Des tomates cerises entières ont été enrobées avec une des enrobages composés et ont été séchées à l'aire à température ambiante pour un durée de 3 heures. Les tomates cerises enrobées d'alginate ont été trempées dans 2% CaCl2 avant l'étape du séchage pour améliorer la formation de la pellicule. Ensuite, elles ont été transférées dans des contenants en plastiques et ont été conservées à des températures sélectionnées (4, 12 et 24°C) accompagnées d'un échantillon témoin. Plusieurs paramètres démontrant la qualité du fruit – la perte de poids, le taux de respiration, la couleur, la texture, la quantité totale des solides solubles, l'acidité titratable, le pH et la quantité de polyphénols - ont été evalués durant les intervalles sélectionnés. L'échantillon témoin avait une durée de conservation de 12, 15 et 18 jours, à 24, 12, et 4°C, respectivement, tandis que les échantillons enrobés de pectine et d'alginate avait une durée de conservation de 15, 18, et 21 jours à 24, 12 et 4°C respectivement. Ce qui démontre une amélioration de 17-25% en durée de conservation. En général, les tomates cerises enrobées de pectine avaient une meilleur qualité que les échantillons enrobés d'alginate, et les deux formes d'enrobages ont donnés de meilleurs résultats que les échantillon témoins. Des canneberges fraiches ont été assujetties à un stress abiotique dans l'eau chaude à 40, 50 et 60 °C pour 1-10 minutes et ont été évaluées pour leurs propriétés antioxydantes. Les fruits qui ont été traités ont été enlevés du bain d'eau chaude, ont été séchés à l'air, ont été rangés dans des contenants plastiques et ont été conservés à 4°C pour une durée de 24 heures permettant aux fruits de relaxer/réparer les dommages dus au stresse. La quantité des polyphénols, et le changement de couleur et de texture ont été évalués. L'effet d'hormèse induit avec le traitement d'eau chaude à 60°C pour une minute a donné une augmentation de la quantité de polyphénols de 120 mg (le control) à 258 mg et a aussi démontré un changement de couleur maximal (ΔE) de 12.8 qui est probablement causé par l'accumulation de polyphénols. Les échantillons traités pour une minute à 40°C ont été aussi améliorés en termes de la fermeté du fruit. Par conséquent, l'effet d'hormèse induit avec le traitement d'eau chaude démontre son potentiel pour améliorer les valeurs nutritives des fruits pouvant s'appliquer au niveau commercial pour augmenter la commercialisation des fruits et légumes frais.

[EN] In recent years, persimmon crop has become very relevant in Mediterranean Spain, where the production of this fruit centres on only one variety, persimmon cv. Rojo Brillante, majorly located in the Valencian Community. The main postharvest disorders manifested by 'Rojo Brillante' persimmons are flesh browning, which is associated with mechanical damage and chilling injury displayed after low-temperature storage. Previous research has determined the postharvest conditions that lead fruit to develop such alterations. However, the biochemical process behind flesh browning and chilling injury disorders is still unknown. Currently, there is special interest in introducing cultivars from other countries to broaden the varietal range. Besides, prolonging the fruit storage period to supply the markets according to the demand is one of the main challenges. In this context, the present Thesis approached three main objectives: 1) Studying the biochemical process implied in the main physiological postharvest disorders manifested in persimmon fruits by focusing on changes in the fruit redox state; 2) Evaluating postharvest treatments to preserve fruit quality during cold storage; 3) Assessing the physico-chemical and nutritional quality of persimmon cultivars introduced from other countries to increase the varietal range. Biochemical, chromatographic and microstructural studies have revealed that flesh browning manifested by fruits submitted to mechanical damage after removing astringency is associated with a tannins oxidation process caused by a stress oxidative situation. A new flesh disorder, "pinkish bruising", has been described on fruits submitted to mechanical impacts while showing high astringency levels. Sensitiveness to the flesh browning disorder has also been evaluated on different cultivars introduced from other countries. The implication of the redox system in the chilling injury manifestation on 'Rojo Brillante' persimmon has been determined. Moreover, we described the changes in this system associated with chilling injury alleviation by 1-MCP treatment. The effect of a controlled atmosphere based on 4-5% O2 + N2 to prolong the storage of cultivars 'Rojo Brillante' and 'Triumph' has been seen to strongly depend on variety. The results were highly positive on cultivar 'Triumph', in which the evaluated atmosphere extended the storage period up to 3 months. The use of short-term high CO2 treatments was another technology assayed to alleviate chilling injury in non-astringent cultivar 'Fuyu'. This treatment significantly reduced the main chilling injury symptom manifested by this cultivar, which is flesh gelling. This effect was related to cell structure preservation. Recent studies have shown that ethyl formate treatment is highly effective for pest control of persimmon 'Fuyu'. However, this treatment induces fruit softening, which causes quality loss. This Thesis revealed that ethyl formate treatment induces the activity of ethylene synthesis-related genes and that flesh softening is mediated by this hormone. It also demonstrated that by applying 1-MPC pretreatment, fruit softening associated with ethyl formate can be controlled. Therefore, the combined used of both treatments is seen as a potential treatment to disinfect persimmon fruits while preserving quality. Finally, the study of ten cultivars introduced from other countries helped select the most interesting cultivars to broaden the varietal range according to their maturation date and their response to deastringency treatment. The main nutritional compounds of persimmon and how they are affected by CO2 deastringency treatment are described.
[ES] El caqui es un cultivo de gran relevancia en el área mediterránea de España, estando la producción centrada en una única variedad, el cv. Rojo Brillante, y localizada principalmente en la Comunidad Valenciana. Las principales alteraciones presentadas por el caqui 'Rojo Brillante' durante el periodo postcosecha son el pardeamiento de la pulpa asociado a los daños mecánicos y los daños por frío manifestados tras la conservación a bajas temperaturas. Las investigaciones previas han determinado las condiciones de manejo bajo las cuales se desarrollan dichas alteraciones, sin embargo los procesos bioquímicos involucrados en la manifestación de estos desórdenes no se conocen en profundidad. Actualmente uno de los principales retos es la introducción de nuevas variedades que permitan ampliar la gama varietal, así como prolongar los periodos de conservación del caqui con el fin de poder escalonar la puesta en el mercado en función de la demanda. En la presente Tesis se han abordado tres objetivos principales: 1) Estudiar los procesos bioquímicos implicados en los principales desórdenes postcosecha del caqui, prestando especial atención a los cambios en el sistema redox del fruto; 2) Evaluar diferentes tratamientos postcosecha para preservar la calidad del fruto durante la conservación frigorífica; 3) Evaluar la calidad físico-química y nutricional de diferentes variedades de caqui introducidas desde otros países para ampliar la gama varietal. Estudios bioquímicos, cromatográficos y microestructurales, han revelado que el pardeamiento de la pulpa o "browning", manifestado por la fruta que ha sufrido daños mecánicos tras la eliminación de la astringencia está asociado a un proceso de oxidación de taninos motivado por una situación de estrés oxidativo. Además se ha descrito una nueva alteración de la pulpa, "pinkish bruising", manifestada por los frutos sometidos a daño mecánico con alto nivel de astringencia. También se ha evaluado la sensibilidad al pardeamiento de diferentes variedades introducidas desde otros países. Con el objetivo de prolongar la conservación del fruto se ha ensayado el uso de la atmósfera controlada basada en 4-5% O2 + N2 sobre las variedades 'Rojo Brillante' y 'Triumph', observándose que la respuesta a esta tecnología depende de manera muy importante de la variedad. Los resultados fueron especialmente positivos en el caso del cultivar 'Triumph', en el que la atmósfera ensayada permitió prolongar la conservación frigorífica hasta tres meses. Otra tecnología ensayada para el control de los daños por frío fue la aplicación de choques con altas concentraciones de CO2 en el cultivar no astringente 'Fuyu'. Este tratamiento alivió el principal síntoma de daño por frío manifestado por esta variedad, la gelificación de la pulpa. Este efecto se ha relacionado con la preservación de la estructura celular de la pulpa del fruto. Estudios recientes han mostrado que el tratamiento con etil formato es altamente efectivo en el control de insectos durante la conservación y comercialización del caqui 'Fuyu', sin embargo este tratamiento provoca un ablandamiento del fruto mermando su calidad. En esta Tesis se ha demostrado que las aplicaciones de etil formato activan los genes de síntesis de etileno, siendo está hormona mediadora del ablandamiento. Los estudios también revelaron que la aplicación de un tratamiento previo con 1-MCP reduce el ablandamiento del fruto asociado al etil formato, por lo que el uso combinado de ambos tratamientos puede ser considerado una alternativa para la desinfección de los frutos sin detrimento de su calidad. Por último, el estudio de diez variedades introducidas desde otros países permitió seleccionar en base a su momento de maduración y respuesta al tratamiento de desastringencia aquellas variedades de mayor interés para ampliar la gama varietal. Además, se identificaron los principales compuestos nutricionales del caqui y
[CAT] El caqui s'ha convertit en els últims anys en un cultiu de gran rellevància en l'àrea mediterrània d'Espanya, estant la producció centrada en una única varietat, el cv. Rojo Brillante, i localitzada principalment a la Comunitat Valenciana. Les principals alteracions presentades pel caqui 'Rojo Brillante' durant el període postcollita són l'enfosquiment de la polpa associat als danys mecànics i els danys per fred manifestats després de la conservació a baixes temperatures. Les investigacions prèvies han determinat les condicions de maneig sota les quals es desenvolupen estes alteracions, però els processos bioquímics involucrats en la manifestació d'estos desordres no es coneixen en profunditat. D'altra banda, actualment un dels principals reptes és la introducció de noves varietats que permetin ampliar la gamma varietal, així com prolongar els períodes de conservació del caqui per tal de poder escalonar la posada en el mercat en funció de la demanda. En este context, en la present Tesi s'han abordat tres objectius principals: 1) Estudiar els processos bioquímics implicats en els principals desordres postcollita del caqui, posant especial atenció als canvis en el sistema redox del fruit; 2) Avaluar diferents tractaments postcollita per preservar la qualitat del fruit durant la conservació frigorífica; 3) Avaluar la qualitat fisicoquímica i nutricional de diferents varietats de caqui introduïdes des d'altres països per ampliar la gamma varietal. Estudis bioquímics, cromatogràfics i microestructurals, han revelat que l'enfosquiment de la polpa o "Browning", manifestat per fruita que ha patit danys mecànics després de l'eliminació de l'astringència està associat a un procés d'oxidació de tanins motivat per una situació d'estrès oxidatiu. A més s'ha descrit una nova alteració de la polpa, "pinkish bruising", manifestada pels fruits sotmesos a dany mecànic amb alt nivell d'astringència. També s'ha avaluat la sensibilitat a l'enfosquiment de diferents varietats introduïdes des d'altres països. Amb l'objectiu de perllongar la conservació del fruit s'ha assajat l'ús de l'atmosfera controlada basada en 4-5% O2 + N2 sobre les varietats 'Rojo Brillante' i 'Triumph', observant-se que la resposta a esta tecnologia depèn de manera molt important de la varietat. Els resultats van ser especialment positius en el cas del cultivar 'Triumph', en què l'atmosfera assajada va permetre prolongar la conservació frigorífica fins a tres mesos. Una altra tecnologia assajada per al control dels danys per fred va ser l'aplicació de xocs amb altes concentracions de CO2 en el cultivar no astringent 'Fuyu'. Este tractament va alleujar el principal símptoma de dany per fred manifestat per esta varietat, la gelificació de la polpa. Este efecte s'ha relacionat amb la preservació de l'estructura cel¿lular de la polpa del fruit. Estudis recents han mostrat que el tractament amb etil format és altament efectiu en el control d'insectes durant la conservació i comercialització del caqui 'Fuyu', però este tractament provoca un estovament del fruit minvant la seua qualitat. En esta Tesi s'ha demostrat que les aplicacions d'etil format activen els gens de síntesi d'etilè, sent esta hormona mediadora de l'estovament. Els estudis també van revelar que l'aplicació d'un tractament previ amb 1-MCP redueix l'estovament del fruit associat a l'etil format, per la qual cosa l'ús combinat de tots dos tractaments pot ser considerat una alternativa per a la desinfecció dels fruits sense detriment de la seua qualitat. Finalment, l'estudi de deu varietats introduïdes des d'altres països va permetre seleccionar en base al seu moment de maduració i resposta al tractament de desastringència aquelles varietats de més interès per ampliar la gamma varietal. A més, es van identificar els principals compostos nutricionals del caqui i es va avaluar l'efecte del tractament de desastringència amb CO2 sobre els mat
Novillo Borrás, P. (2015). HARVEST AND POSTHARVEST QUALITY OF PERSIMMON FRUIT:PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND NUTRITIONAL ASPECTS [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/58270
TESIS

Over the last decades the Moroccan agriculture has passed through a complete transformation: due to the low workforce cost and its favourable climate, the sector has attracted the attentions of national and foreign investment and thus has expanded rapidly. Among the different productions, tomatoes proved to be one of the most profitable, generating 4.867 billion dirhams in 2016 from exports. In order to remain competitive and attractive, the sector needs to be constantly monitored and controlled: abuses of the environment and of available resources may affect or even compromise the future of the Moroccan agriculture. Energy in particular has a remarkable role and has to be analysed in order to quantify its impact over costs and environment. The aim of this study is to build a GIS-based model of tomato’s postharvest system and study the agriculture and energy nexus interactions in the Souss-Massa region. Post harvesting activities such as: Transportation, conditioning, packaging, storing and transformation of tomato, occurs within Souss-Massa’s geographical boundaries and have been the focus of in this study. Results of current system highlight the dominance of packaging activity as the main energy consumer with 77%, followed by storing, transportation and transformation with 14 %, 6% and 3% respectively. In terms of cost the transportation becomes the most relevant activity due to the cost of fuels and transport conditions. Energy costs and wastes in transportation represent 15% of the local revenues (9% Transportation, 5% Packaging and 1% Storing). Four different scenarios about the future situation have been implemented to measure the possible impact of changes in the different activities: Business as Usual (BAU), Transport Efficiency (TE), Waste Reduction (WR) and Renewable Penetration (RP). -3- In BAU current trends have been followed to forecast the total production, the export and the power generation. In TE trucks with bigger capacity have been implemented and in WR refrigeration is considered in every transport stage. Finally, in RP higher renewable penetration has been considered
I över ett decennium har en förändring skett i det marockanska jordbruket, kombinerat med låga arbetskostnader och landets gynnsamma klimat har sektorn fått stor uppmärksamhet vilket har resulterat i att både nationell och internationella investeringar och sektorn har därmed kraftigt expanderats. Jordbruksproduktionen som visat sig vara mest gynnsam är produktion av tomater, där export av varan har genererat 4,867 miljarder dirham. För att säkerställa en attraktiv och konkurrenskraftig produktion är konstant övervakning och kontinuerlig kontroll ett måste; missbruk av miljö och dess resurser kan ha betydande påverkan vilket på sikt kan kompromissa framtiden för det Marockanska jordbruket. Energi har en betydande roll i jordbruket och bör därmed analyseras för att förstå dess övergripande inverkan på kostnader och miljö. Syftet med denna studie är att bygga upp en GIS baserad modell över tomatprodukten efter skörd samt att studera relationen mellan energi- & jordbrukssektorn i Souss-Massa regionen. Efter skörd inkluderas följande aktiviteter: transport, konditionering, förpackning, förvaring, och transformering av tomater. Studiens geografiska systemgräns gäller området Souss-Massa. Resultatet av studien visar att den mest energikrävande processen är förpackning av tomater och står för totalt 77% av energikonsumtionen, därefter följer förvaring, transport och transformering av 15%, 6% och 3% respektive. Resultaten visar dessutom att transport är den mest kostsamma aktivitet i processen, detta på grund av höga kostnader för bränsle samt förutsättningar för transport. Energi- och avfallskostnader i transport representerar 15 % av lokala intäkter (9% transport, 5% förpackning och 1% lagring). Fyra framtidsscenarion utformades för att mäta den framtida inverkan hos de olika aktiviteterna: Business as Usual (BAU), Transporteffektivisering (TE), Avfallshantering (WR) och Förnybar energimix i jordbrukssektorn (RP). I BAU scenariot har nuvarande trender följts för att förutse totala produktionen, export och kraftproduktion. I TE scenariot har lastbilar större kapacitet jämfört med de andra scenariona och i WR är konditionering inkluderat i vardera transportsteg. Slutligen i RP har en förnybar energimix integrerats i systemet.

The access to water in the regions around Lake Victoria varies with the rainy seasons. Today the daily labor of fetching water is a heavy burden for people in the rural areas. In the process of this study farmers in the Western and Nyanza provinces in Kenya are interviewed, water samples are analysed and present rainwater harvesting techniques and purification methods are observed. As a result, suitable solutions to the problems found are discussed. An optimal system is chosen for the region with a concept selection matrix. An elaborated dimensioning tool for roof and purpose-built harvesting systems is developed. Finally a summarized manual is attached in order to raise interest for rainwater harvesting among the farmers that the non-governmental organisation SCC-Vi Agroforestry cooperates with.

Tillgången till vatten i områdena kring Victoriasjön varierar med regnperioderna. Det dagliga arbetet med att hämta vatten är idag en stor börda för människor på landsbygden. Under processen av denna studie intervjuas bönder i Western och Nyanza provinserna i Kenya, vattenprover analyseras och nuvarande regnvatteninsamlingstekniker och reningsmetoder observeras. Som ett resultat diskuteras passande lösningar på de problem som hittats. Ett optimalt val av komplett system för regionerna tas fram med hjälp av en konceptvalsmatris. Ett genomarbetat verktyg för dimensionering av tak- och ändamålsbyggda insamlingssystem utvecklas. Slutligen inkluderas en sammanfattande manual för att väcka intresse för regnvatteninsamling bland de bönder som den ideella organisationen SCC-Vi Agroforestry samarbetar med.

Orientador: Marcos David Ferreira
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola
Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-19T15:37:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rodrigues_MicheleCarvalhodaSilva_M.pdf: 1787890 bytes, checksum: ad42d636315e1e015773f4c6f3929bd8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011
Resumo: O beneficiamento da batata lavada no Estado de São Paulo, destinada ao mercado in natura ou ao processamento, consome volume excessivo de água, provocando danos ao meio ambiente principalmente no descarte da água residual da etapa de lavagem. Tendo em vista a exigência do mercado consumidor por batata lavada, e a necessidade da redução do consumo de água utilizado para este tipo de beneficiamento, a hipótese deste trabalho é a de que é possível reduzir o consumo de água na etapa de lavagem da batata modificando os parâmetros de funcionamento dos equipamentos utilizados atualmente (vazão e rotação), mantendo a eficiência de limpeza, sem afetar a qualidade do produto. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a etapa de limpeza em linhas de beneficiamento de batata lavada produzida no Estado de São Paulo, e propor modificações para redução no volume de água com manutenção da qualidade do produto e da eficiência de limpeza. Para tanto, inicialmente foi realizada a avaliação de desempenho da etapa de limpeza em unidades de beneficiamento de batata lavada no Estado de São Paulo, identificando o método de lavagem, os tipos de roletes/escovas, velocidade média do produto, e volume de água consumido. A partir do estudo de desempenho, foram propostas alterações para melhoria na etapa de limpeza com relação ao volume de água consumido e a limpeza do produto. A eficiência de limpeza, o consumo de água, e a influência do beneficiamento na qualidade da batata lavada foram avaliados e comparados nos sistemas propostos, onde foram avaliadas três rotações para as escovas, e três vazões de água na lavagem de tubérculos de dois solos com diferentes teores de argila. A qualidade do produto beneficiado foi avaliada por meio dos parâmetros: perda de massa fresca, coloração, danos físicos e firmeza. Neste trabalho foi possível verificar que o consumo de água nas unidades de beneficiamento pode ser reduzido, mantendo a eficiência de limpeza do produto, apenas com ajustes de vazão e rotação do equipamento de lavagem. Com relação à qualidade, verificou-se o incremento na perda de massa e incidência de brotamento, e redução da e firmeza da batata lavada em comparação aos tubérculos não lavados
Abstract: The washing for potatoes in São Paulo, for the fresh market or industry, consumes excessive amounts of water, causing damage to the environment mainly due to waste water discharge from the washing step. Considering the requirement of the consumer market for washed potatoes, and the need to reduce water consumption, the hypothesis is that it is possible to reduce water consumption on the washing of potato just modifying the configuration of the equipment currently used (flow and rotation), and maintaining the cleaning efficiency without affecting quality. Therefore, the main goal was to evaluate the cleaning step in processing lines of washed potatoes produced in the state of Sao Paulo, and propose modifications to reduce the amount of water and with maintenance of product quality and cleaning efficiency. Therefore, early, characterization of the cleaning step was made in processing and classification units of washed potatoes in the state of Sao Paulo, identifying the method of washing used, types of rollers / brushes, average speed of the product, and water volume consumed on this step. From the characterization study, changes were proposed in the cleaning step that would improve the efficiency with respect to water consumption and cleaning product. The cleaning efficiency, water consumption, and influence of improvement in the quality of washed potatoes were evaluated and compared in the proposed systems. The quality of the processed product was evaluated by the following parameters: weight loss, color, physical damage and firmness. In this study, it was possible to verify that water consumption on processing units can be reduced maintaining cleaning efficiency, only adjusting water flow and rotation of the equipment. Related to tuber quality, it was also observed an increase of mass and firmness loss, and sprouting of washed potatoes compared with unwashed tubers
Mestrado
Tecnologia Pós-Colheita
Mestre em Engenharia Agrícola

Beim Parameter „Druscheignung“ eines Bestandes wird gemeinhin angenommen, dass dieses Kriterium durch die Genetik der Sorte und den Witterungsverlauf, weitgehend unbeeinflusst von Landwirt, festgelegt ist. Und dennoch verändert der Landwirt mit all seinen Entscheidungen von der Auswahl der Sorten, über die Düngung, den Pflanzenschutz bis hin zum Erntemanagement die Druscheignung stetig. Zur Ernte, als letzten Abschnitt der Verfahrenskette, entfaltet die Druscheignung dann außerordentlich große ökonomische Auswirkungen. Anhand verschiedener Beispiele aus Züchtung, Pflanzenernährung, Pflanzenschutz und Erntetechnologie wurde dargestellt, wie auf die Druscheignung Einfluss genommen werden kann und wie diese Auswirkungen monetär zu bewerten sind. Aus dem Bereich der Züchtung wurde die Entwicklung eines neuen Wuchstyps bei den Rapshalbzwergen ausgewählt, der mit weniger Biomasse konkurrenzfähige Erträge erzielt. Die Abreife ist einheitlicher, der Erntetermin kann problemloser fixiert werden, der Drusch ist leistungsstark und verlustarm. Späte und intensiv geführte Sorten sind mit Hilfe einer Sikkation zeitlich früher und leichter zu beernten. Das schafft Erntesicherheit bei geringeren Verlusten, höheren Mähdrescherleistungen und sinkendem Kraftstoffverbrauch. Die bedarfsgerechte Ausbringung des Stickstoffs in Art, Menge und Zeit, entsprechend der kleinräumigen Heterogenität eines Schlages, führt zu einer Homogenisierung der Bestände. Die Bestände reifen gleichmäßiger ab und führen zu etwa 20 Prozent höherer Mähdrescherleistung sowie geringerem Kraftstoffverbrauch. Am Beispiel des Hochschnitts wurde verdeutlicht, wie sich die bessere Beerntbarkeit auf Maschinenkosten, Gesamternteverluste, Qualität und Trocknung auswirkt. Hebt man die Stoppellänge um 10 Zentimeter an, lässt sich die Mähdrescherleistung um ca. 15 bis 20 Prozent steigern. Diese Beispiele unterstreichen zugleich die Forderung, dass die Druscheignung nicht erst zur Ernte diese Führungsrolle übernimmt, sondern auch in den vorgelagerten Verfahrensabschnitten als ein starkes Entscheidungskriterium gelten muss.
The parameter “threshability” of a stand is commonly assumed to be a criterion defined by the genetics of the strain and the weather conditions which is mainly not influenced by the farmer. Nevertheless, the farmer continuously changes the “threshability” with all his decisions, from the selection of the strains, via the use of fertilizers to the harvest management. For harvest, as the last stage of the process chain, the threshability develops extraordinarily high economic effects. On the basis of several examples from cultivation, plant nutrition, plant protection and harvest technology it was described, how the threshability can be influenced and how this effect is to be assessed monetarily. In the field of cultivation, the development of a new growth type of semi-dwarf rape has been selected, which yields competitive returns with less bio mass. Ripeness is more homogeneous, the harvest date can be fixed without problems, threshing is efficient and with low loss. Using the method of siccation, late and intensively controlled strains can be harvested earlier and easier. This offers harvest safety with low loss, higher combine harvester performance and reduced fuel consumption.The need-based spreading of nitrogen referring to type, quantity and time according to the small-scale spatial heterogeneity of a field leads to a homogenisation of the stands. The stands ripen more evenly and this fact causes about 20 percent higher combine harvester performance, as well as reduced fuel consumption. Using the example of high-cut top harvest it was clarified how the better harvestability influences the machine costs, the total harvest losses, the quality, and the drying process. If the length of the stubbles is extended by 10 centimetres, the combine harvester performance can be increased by 15 to 20 percent. These examples also emphasize the requirement that the threshability does not just take over the leading role for the harvest but has also to be considered as a strong decision criterion within the prior stages of the process.

In recent years, the use of citrus mechanical harvesting machines has significantly increased in Florida. In 2007, the total acreage of citrus orchards harvested by mechanical means was 14,420 ha (35,633 acres) which is about 7% of the total citrus production area in Florida up from only 1% in 2004. In addition, the Florida Department of Citrus initiated a program to register abscission compounds for citrus. Abscission compounds reduce the amount of force required to detach the fruit from the stem, making it easier to harvest. According to the plan, the abscission compounds will become available by 2011. It is expected that the trend in adoption of mechanical harvesting machines will accelerate if abscission compounds become commercially available. In addition to fruit, mechanical harvesting machines cause removal of leaves and branches, some percentage of which end up to the harvested load. Currently, the amount of trash, i.e. leaves and branches, in the mechanically harvested citrus load is considerably higher than when harvested by hand and is a major concern for juice processors. While these machines reduce the cost of harvesting and allow citrus growers to be more competitive in the global market, the large amount of fruit they can harvest in a short time can cause issues with load allocations. The implications resulting from these technologies are discussed in this paper, as well as initial results from a computer vision technique to quantify the trash in the load. Paper published with permission.