2006 Annual Report 4d.Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a reimbursable agreement between ARS and Michigan State University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent 1931-21000-015-00D Integrated Orchard Management and Automation for Deciduous Tree Fruit Crops. The experimental canopy shaker developed at the Appalachian Fruit Research Station for detaching small fruits was loaned to Dr. Jim Flore, Michigan State University for the 2005 and 2006 season. Dr. Flore has an experimental block of bush/dwarf tart cherries that cannot be harvested with conventional methods. Field tests determined shaker effectiveness, optimum parameters, and determined compatible cultivar characteristics, cultural practices, and training systems. Soft or crushed fruit result in an estimated $6.0 million dollar average loss to the Michigan Cherry industry since 1990 (Jim Nugent personnel communication). Red tart and sweet cherries are mechanical harvested from tall (often more than 25 feet) large (30 feet in circumference) trees. Recently we (Flore and Nugent, 2004 MI Cherry Committee Research Report) have shown that fruit quality decreases substantially as tree height increases. This is especially pronounced in years prone to “soft fruit”. By using newly introduced genetically dwarfed rootstocks (Giesla 5 and. 6)and new scions (varieties or those in tests), it is now possible to grow trees that are less that 8 feet tall, and 5-10 feet in diameter. The over the row harvester has the potential to greatly reduce the number of “soft” (crushed or split) fruit because of lower drop height between the fruit and the catching frame, and because of the less force being used to remove the cherry from the tree. This technique would also eliminate trunk shaker damage, which is a major cause of tree decline and death. Objective: Test the feasibility of using “blueberry” harvester technology on cherries. A. Identify and modify if needed a blueberry harvester, to over the row harvest small stature cherries. The research team was able to obtain a modified drum berry harvester developed by Donald Peterson, USDA, Kearneysville, WV. The machine has two drums mounted vertically that rotate back in forth in the canopy. “Fingers” made of plastic project into the tree and gently remove the fruit from the pedicle. Fingers on the machine we obtained we approximately 3 feet in length. The machine as tested removes fruit from one side of the tree at a time and was not equipped with a catching frame. A decision was made to utilize this existing technology first before trying an over the row blueberry harvester, which our trees were not shaped properly to handle. Compare the quality of fruit harvested from tall trees and short stature trees. (Figure 1) B. Identify and prune plant material for mechanical harvest. Plant material was tested at the Clarksville Horticultural Research Station, and at the Northwest Horticultural Research Station. Both sweet and tart cherries were harvested at each site and compared with a conventional trunk shaker. In general the quality of cherries after harvest were the same as the conventional shaker. Fruit removal in the zone where the fingers penetrated the tree was excellent, and fruit with fruit retention forces greater than 300 grams, but less than 450 were removed (greater than 96%). Fruit retention forces of 300 grams or less are generally needed for conventional machines. Sweet cherries were also removed effectively with the machine. Trees with different growth habits were also harvested in Amy Iezzoni’s breeding materials. Trees with stiff horizontal branches did not harvest as well, and the fingers damaged branches. Upright growth, with spurs seemed to be the best tree shape. C. Compare the quality of fruit harvested from tall trees and short stature trees. It was not possible to test tree height with this machine. Based on grower observations of this machine, a prototype machine was developed to be tested in the 2006 season. IMPACTS: The adaptation of existing technology for cherry resulted in the construction of a prototype harvester within 12 months of demonstration. This could drive the following cultural and industry changes: 1. Changes in tree structure and form. 2. Earlier harvest without the use of fruit looseners. 3. Possible harvest of sweet cherries with stems on. 4. Improved tart cherry quality. SUMMARY STATEMENT: Mechanical harvester technology developed for other crops was tested on sweet and sour cherries in 2005. Fruit quality was comparable with conventional technology, and fruit removal was accomplished without shaking the trunk. Our demonstration was contributing factor in the development of a prototype drum cherry harvester for the commercial industry. NON-MSU funding: The use of a berry harvester developed at the USDA in Kearneysville, WV. This project supplements the parent 1931-21000-015-00D, Integrated Orchard Management and Automation for Deciduous Tree Fruit Crops, by providing detailed information on Component 2 (Agroengineering, Agrochemical, and Related Technologies), Problem Statement 1 (Automation and Mechanization to Improve Labor Productivity) in National Program 305.