Mechanization and Technologies in Processing Vegetables—Past, Present, and Future

Over a 25 year period, mechanized harvest of pickling cucumbers and lima beans were studied by the University of Delaware to determine where improvements in crop recovery and harvest could be found.  Research showed that with lima beans, variety selection, field preparation, cultivation, and harvester operation speeds all impacted crop losses.  Improvements of over 25% could be obtained by addressing these factors.  A breeding program in lima beans is ongoing to develop more upright varieties with higher pod set to improve recovery.  Changes in pickle vine pickup and feeding mechanisms and pinch roller pickle detachment improved cucumber harvest recovery by >5% and reduced crop damage by as much as 15%.   Pickle varieties were evaluated for best characteristics for harvest recovery and multiple harvest of pickling cucumbers grown on black plastic mulch by machine is being explored.  Current research is being conducted on site specific variable rate overhead irrigation adapted to processing vegetable fields as well as subsurface irrigation potential for these crops. Research with variable rate application of nitrogen in sweet corn showed equivalent production to standard application methods with 18% reduction in nitrogen applied.   Current research has shown the potential for developing site specific risk maps for southern root knot nematodes in processing vegetables for targeted controls and the use of local weather data to predict outbreaks of downy mildew in lima beans.  Also demonstrated is the potential for GPS based variable rate planting, application of fertilizer, and application of chemicals such as nematicides according to application maps.  GPS auto steer systems are being widely adopted for planting, cultivating, chemical application, and harvest in processing vegetable systems.  The potential for GPS based yield monitoring and mapping in crops such as sweet corn, peas, shelled beans, tomatoes and snap beans has been demonstrated but has not yet been widely adopted.