24 Questions
Why is mechanical harvesting not feasible for most crops?
Because crops need to be modified to allow one-time harvest
What is a common problem with mechanical harvesting of perennial crops?
Bark damage from tree shakers
Why do fruits and vegetables continue to respire after harvesting?
Because they have a limited source of food reserves
What is the purpose of precooling in post-harvest handling?
To reduce bruise damage during transit
What determines the cooling requirement for a crop?
All of the above
What is the main advantage of precooling fruits and vegetables?
Reduced deterioration of respiratory substrates
What is the goal of post-harvest technology?
To combine biological and environmental factors for value addition
Why are machines rarely capable of selective harvest?
Because they are not designed for selective harvest
What is the indication of desirable size and maturity for snake gourd?
A thumbnail can still penetrate the flesh readily
What is the benefit of hand harvesting over machine harvesting in terms of product quality?
Accurate selection of mature product
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
What is the indication of desirable size and maturity for egg plant, bitter gourd, and slicing cucumber?
Desirable size reached but still tender
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
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
What is the indication of desirable size and maturity for muskmelon?
Easily separated from vine with a slight twist leaving a clean cavity
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
Which of the following crops is typically harvested using mechanical methods due to its protection from a shell?
Tree nuts
What is the primary advantage of mechanical harvesting equipment?
Higher harvest rates
Why are vegetables grown below ground typically harvested using mechanical methods?
Because the soil can be used to cushion the product
What is a crucial aspect of effective labor management in hand harvesting?
Training new employees to harvest at an acceptable rate of productivity
Which of the following crops is typically harvested using hand harvesting methods due to its sensitivity to mechanical injury?
Cut flowers
What is a key factor in determining whether a crop can be machine harvested?
The crop's suitability for mechanical harvesting
Why are some leafy green vegetables machine harvested?
Because they are quickly processed after harvest
What is a benefit of machine harvesting in terms of labor management?
Reduced management problems associated with workers
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
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.
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