Vol. 125 (2012): Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society
Posters

Field Observations of Machine-harvest Inefficiencies and Suggested Corrective Measures for a Commercial ‘Noble’ Muscadine Grape Block Trained to a Single Cordon

Jacque Breman
University of Florida, IFAS, Columbia County Extension, Lake City, FL 32025
Paul Laubacker
University of Florida, IFAS, Putnam County Extension, Palatka, FL 32131

Published 2012-12-01

Keywords

  • machine harvest,
  • muscadine grapes

Abstract

‘Noble’ and ‘Carlos’ muscadine grapes are two leading commercially harvested cultivars for contract to Florida vintners. For two growing seasons, 2010 and 2011, in northeastern Florida, several producers sharing the same mechanical harvester had reported difficulty harvesting ‘Noble’ muscadine grape berries. Single cordons in a block were trained in the same direction. Field observation during the 2011 harvest of a ‘Noble’ muscadine by a model 2720 Braud® harvester showed visual differences in berry harvest depending on whether harvesting in the direction
of the single-cordon or against it. An adjacent block of ‘Carlos’ muscadine did not display signs of alternating patterns. A field transect of the ‘Noble’ grape was conducted.