In this section:
Harvesting: Strategies
The ideal of harvesting each fruit at its optimum maturity for drying would mean harvesting each tree every day. Under most commercial conditions this is impractical and uneconomical, if not impossible.
However, growers should strive to harvest each tree as often as possible. As the time interval between picking is extended, so is the range in maturity that has to be harvested. Greener fruit is harvested so that it will not be overripe at the next harvest. Overripe fruit will fall to the ground or at best produce slabs when cut. These losses are more obvious to the grower than those associated with harvesting green fruit, but the financial penalty for the latter can be just as severe.
Effects of weather
Complicating the most effective picking interval for a grower is the effect of weather. Cool conditions during the ripening phase can spread the harvest of a single variety over several weeks. Under these conditions a grower can harvest fruit at its optimum maturity with relative ease, although there may be problems in drying it.
At the other extreme a heat wave can cause almost the entire crop to ripen simultaneously. A grower without adequate labour and handling facilities could lose much of the crop. So keep a watchful eye on the progress of ripening and carefully consider current and forecast weather conditions. Harvest maturity can be adjusted accordingly—but it is preferable to use cold storage, employ more labour to cope, or both, than to harvest fruit before its optimum maturity.
Rainfall can adversely affect the strategy adopted for harvesting. At cutting maturity apricots are prone to severe cracking in the event of rainfall, particularly if accompanied by a prolonged period of high humidity. Immature fruit is more tolerant, but will crack in heavy or persistent rainfall.
If the likelihood of substantial rainfall (>10 mm) is high, as much of the fruit at or approaching cutting maturity should be picked as possible prior to the rain. This fruit is better harvested and stored than left on the tree.
Ripe fruit on the tree which is badly cracked as a result of rainfall is not suitable for drying. This fruit has poor structure, low sugar content, poor drying ratio and the dried product is prone to rapid darkening. Alternative markets such as juicing should be sought for this fruit.
Less mature fruit which has been rain damaged but will hold on the trees for 3 - 4 days can normally be dried successfully. This time allows the fruit to recover - seal over cracks and increase brix level. Dried fruit will be blemished and downgraded but will return more than other market outlets.
Fruit should not be routinely harvested in an immature state as an insurance against rainy weather. Harvesting green fruit reduces fruit quality, tonnage and profits.
