Efficiency of net harvesting in apricot (Prunus armeniaca)

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is a drought tolerant fruit tree. It has a special significance in the cold arid region, as it is the most important horticultural product in terms of trade from the Ladakh region. Kargil district is the major contributor in total apricot production in the region with average annual production of 5206 metric tones. Traditionally apricot is harvested by shaking and beating with sticks and then hand picked from the ground. It damages the fruits thereby impairing the quality and causing loss in returns to the orchardist on one hand and involving lot of time and labour in harvesting on the other hand. A trial was conducted in Shiliktsey village of Kargil district to evaluate the efficiency of net in reduction of damage to the fruit and labour involved in harvesting and collection of apricot. It was found that net harvester significantly reduces quantum of damaged fruits; total harvesting and collection time in apricots. It is concluded from the results that ‘Net Harvester’ has the potential to be used in hilly areas and undulating terrains where mechanical harvesting is not possible.