Identifying Vegetables at Optimal Harvest

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Why is mechanical harvesting not feasible for most crops?

Because machines cannot handle multiple products at once

Because machines are too expensive to maintain

Because machines are not advanced enough

Because crops need to be modified to allow one-time harvest (correct)

What is a common problem with mechanical harvesting of perennial crops?

Labor shortages

Soil erosion

Crop contamination

Bark damage from tree shakers (correct)

Why do fruits and vegetables continue to respire after harvesting?

Because they need to ripen further

Because they have a limited source of food reserves (correct)

Because they are stressed from harvesting

Because they are no longer alive

What is the purpose of precooling in post-harvest handling?

To reduce bruise damage during transit Signup and view all the answers

What determines the cooling requirement for a crop?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of precooling fruits and vegetables?

Reduced deterioration of respiratory substrates Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of post-harvest technology?

To combine biological and environmental factors for value addition Signup and view all the answers

Why are machines rarely capable of selective harvest?

Because they are not designed for selective harvest Signup and view all the answers

What is the indication of desirable size and maturity for snake gourd?

A thumbnail can still penetrate the flesh readily Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of hand harvesting over machine harvesting in terms of product quality?

Accurate selection of mature product Signup and view all the answers

What is the main problem with hand harvesting in terms of labor management?

Labor supply is a problem for growers who cannot offer a long employment season Signup and view all the answers

What is the indication of desirable size and maturity for egg plant, bitter gourd, and slicing cucumber?

Desirable size reached but still tender Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of hand harvesting in terms of minimizing damage to the product?

Properly trained workers can pick and handle the product with a minimum of damage Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of harvesting in terms of the level of maturity?

To gather a commodity from the field at the proper level of maturity Signup and view all the answers

What is the indication of desirable size and maturity for muskmelon?

Easily separated from vine with a slight twist leaving a clean cavity Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of hand harvesting in terms of increasing the harvesting rate?

The rate of harvest can easily be increased by hiring more workers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following crops is typically harvested using mechanical methods due to its protection from a shell?

Tree nuts Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of mechanical harvesting equipment?

Higher harvest rates Signup and view all the answers

Why are vegetables grown below ground typically harvested using mechanical methods?

Because the soil can be used to cushion the product Signup and view all the answers

What is a crucial aspect of effective labor management in hand harvesting?

Training new employees to harvest at an acceptable rate of productivity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following crops is typically harvested using hand harvesting methods due to its sensitivity to mechanical injury?

Cut flowers Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor in determining whether a crop can be machine harvested?

The crop's suitability for mechanical harvesting Signup and view all the answers

Why are some leafy green vegetables machine harvested?

Because they are quickly processed after harvest Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of machine harvesting in terms of labor management?

Reduced management problems associated with workers Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Maturity Stages of Fruits and Vegetables

Okra: Desirable size reached, tips can be snapped readily
Snake gourd: Desirable size reached, thumbnail can penetrate flesh readily
Egg plant, bitter gourd, slicing cucumber: Desirable size reached, still tender
Tomato: Seeds slipping when fruit is cut, green colour turning pink
Muskmelon: Easily separated from vine with a slight twist, leaving a clean cavity
Watermelon: Dull hollow sound when thumped

Maturity Stages of Flower Vegetables

Cauliflower: Curd compact
Broccoli: Bud cluster compact

Harvesting

Goals of harvesting: Gather commodity from the field at the proper level of maturity, minimize damage and loss, and reduce cost

Hand Harvesting

Advantages: Accurate selection of mature product, minimum damage, rate of harvest can be increased by hiring more workers, minimum capital investment
Importance: Quality is crucial for marketing fresh-market commodities, hence hand harvesting remains the dominant method

Mechanical Harvesting

Used for: Fresh-market crops that are roots, tubers, or rhizomes, and nut crops
Advantages: Machines can harvest at high rates, reduces management problems associated with workers
Demerits: Machines are rarely capable of selective harvest, may cause excessive product damage, and are quite expensive

Post-Harvest Handling

Importance: Fruits and vegetables continue to respire after harvesting, require proper handling to maintain quality
Goals: Preserve freshness, reduce degradation, and enhance value addition of commodities

Precooling

Importance: Reduces respiratory substrate degradation, bruise damage, and promotes cooling of commodities
Methods: Cold air, cold water, direct contact with ice, evaporation of water, vacuum cooling, and hydrovac cooling

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Determine the ideal harvest time for various vegetables based on their physical characteristics. Learn when to pick okra, snake gourd, eggplant, bitter gourd, cucumber, and tomato for optimal taste and texture.