ISHS Acta Horticulturae 850: III International Symposium on Saffron: Forthcoming Challenges in Cultivation, Research and Economics
THE DESIGN OF A MECHANICAL SYSTEM FOR THE HARVEST OF SAFFRON PLANTS IN GREECE |
| Authors: | C.I. Dimitriadis, J.L. Brighton |
| Keywords: | harvest mechanisation, physical characteristics, saffron |
| Abstract:
Mechanisation contributes to increased crop production and timeliness of operation (Witney, 1988). Therefore there is always the need for the introduction of new harvest methods to increase harvest efficiency and consequently reduce the final cost of the product. Saffron is a crop traditionally harvested by hand and hence this paper explores the feasibility of mechanisation of the harvest procedure. A conceptual machine has been designed which operates by separating a) the tepals and b) the stigmas and stamens from the plant individually in the field using a combination of pneumatic and mechanical processes. | |
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