Progress in selective harvesting: Lettuce
AuthorsR. E. Griffin
Authors AffiliationsRichard E. Griffin is Extension Engineering Technologist, Department of Vegetable Crops, University of California, Davis; Roger Garrett is Lecturer and Assistant Professor of Agricultural Engineering, Department of Vegetable Crops, University of California, Davis; Mike Zahara is Assistant Specialist, Department of Vegetable Crops, University of California, Davis.
Hilgardia 18(4):2-3. DOI:10.3733/ca.v018n04p2. April 1964.
Head lettuce is a major crop in California with over 100,000 acres harvested annually-accounting for about 60% of the nation's total supply. With labor problems CI certainty when the Mexican bracero program is discontinued, harvest mechanization efforts have taken on new importance. The University-designed experimental machine described in this report is capable of selectively harvesting mature heads of lettuce without' injury, and allows many handling possibilities after cutting.
The number of fruits and vegetables harvested by machine has increased rapidly along with changing conditions in farm economics and labar procurement. Tomatoes and prunes are among the most recent of these crops to pass from the experimental to the commercial harvesting stage. Each crop presents special problems in removal of fruit from the plant and in subsequent handling. One problem common to many such crops is the need for selective-and often several-harvests of fruit as it matures, without damaging remaining plants. The University-designed harvesters for lettuce and cantaloupes, described here, show two different approaches to selective harvesting.
Also in this issue:Cantaloupes
Strip cutting alfalfa for lygus bug control
Stump sprout control
Problems on the rural-urban fringe: Urban growth and agricultural land use in Sacramento County
Uncertainty of land values near urban centers
Carriers for air application of granulated wetting agents
Tioga a new california strawberry
Ground sprinkling limitations for frost protection in deciduous orchards
Characters, distribution, and food plants of leafhopper species in Thamnotettix group
Transmission of California aster-yellows virus by leafhopper species in Thamnotettix group