University developing firmer blueberries to increase mechanical harvesting
Ashrafi said that what sets NC State’s blueberry breeding apart from other breeding programs is its emphasis on developing high-yielding blueberry varieties that can be mechanically harvested. About 75 percent of North Carolina’s blueberries are sold fresh, and consumers don’t want fruit that’s been bruised during machine harvest, he said.
“Right now, 20 percent of blueberries are harvested mechanically, while 80 percent is handpicked,” he said. Because handpicking is expensive, he said, “We want to reverse that – we want 80 percent to be mechanically harvested and 20 percent handpicked.”
At the Castle Hayne Research Station north of Wilmington, in the heart of North Carolina blueberry production, Ashrafi is conducting experiments aimed at improving blueberry firmness and crispness without sacrificing yield.
Source: North Carolina State University
