Project Publications

Mechanical Harvesting of California Table and Oil Olives (pdf)
L. Ferguson, U. A. Rosa, S. Castro-Garcia, S. M. Lee, J. X. Guinard, J. K. Burns, W. H. Krueger, N. V. O’Connell and K. Glozer. Adv. Hort. Sci., 2010 24(1): 53-63. 2010.

An overview of the history of olive-harvesting, various factors affecting mechanical harvest particularly tree shape and orchard configuration. Current research involving canopy contact and trunk-shaking harvesters, and consumer-testing of mechanically harvested olives, is discussed.

Video Evaluation of Table Olive Damage during Harvest with a Canopy Shaker (pdf)
S. Castro-Garcia, U. A. Rosa, C. J. Gliever, D. Smith, J. K. Burns, W. H. Krueger, L. Ferguson and K. Glozer. HortTechnology, April-June 2009. 19(2): 260-266.

Stereo video analysis based on two high-speed cameras operating during the harvesting process were used to identify the sources of fruit damage due to canopy-harvester interaction.

Screening Fruit Loosening Agents for Black Ripe Processed Table Olives (pdf)
J. K. Burns, L. Ferguson, K. Glozer, W. H. Krueger and R. Rosecrance. HortScience 43(5):1449-1453. 2008.

The goal of this research was to reevaluate the potential of ethylene-releasing compounds (ERCs) as olive-loosening agents and to screen additional candidates previously shown to accelerate citrus fruit abscission.

Popular Press

Mechanizing Olive Harvesting
Laura Drotleff

A report on our progress appearing in the Sept/Oct 2010 issue of Western Fruit Grower