1Senior Research Fellow, Division of Crop Utilisation, ICAR-CTCRI, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
2Teaching Assistant, College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, Kerala, India
A study of peduncle parameters were conducted inorder to find the factors affecting cutting of peduncles in the harvesting operation. The study was conducted as an initial step for designing a cutting unit for harvesting tomato. Cross section of peduncle was studied in the lab. Cutting force required to cut the peduncle was measured for tomatoes harvested on different stages, i.e. mature unripe, immature unripe and mature ripe. Also, force for cutting the peduncle with different diameters were measured. It was seen that, peduncle length is an unavoidable factor to determine the cutting portion. It decides where to make the cut, for detaching the fruit from the plant. The parameters like blade parameters, cell structure of cutting material and force for cutting directly affects the cutting operation.
The force required for cutting the peduncle of tomato is not depending on the diameter of the peduncle.
Peduncle, tomato, cutting force
