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Harvest & Quality
Does harvest time change globe artichoke quality?
Yes, in a Western Australian farm trial: late-spring heads were smaller (178.5 g v 248.3 g) but 54.9% edible (v 36.1%), with more inulin-type fructans and lower phenolics.
Research news
Horticulture Industry Updates
New studies, trials and growing technology from universities and research institutes, summarised in plain English, with the trial details and a link to the original study.
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Harvest & QualityQuick find
Do honeybees cross-pollinate macadamias?
In a macadamia orchard study, only 15% of honeybees returning to the hive with pollen carried pollen from more than one identified macadamia cultivar.
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Harvest & QualityQuick find
How can growers predict the mango harvest?
Counting degree days from flowering, between 12 and 32 °C, timed the harvest of Australian mango cultivars far more consistently than calendar days: 1.3% variation against 13.5%.
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Harvest & QualityQuick find
Do ants help pollinate raspberries?
On commercial raspberry blocks near Coffs Harbour, NSW, ants were the most common flower visitors, and ant pollination gave heavier fruit than bagged flowers.
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Harvest & Quality
Which pack and temperature work best for storing finger limes?
In a Western Sydney University trial, finger limes in recycled plastic punnets at 8 °C gave the best balance of quality and saleability, with about 80% saleable at eight weeks.
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Harvest & QualityQuick find
Do extra flowers steal bees from strawberries?
With other flowering plants alongside, stingless bees in a glasshouse study still visited strawberry flowers more often, and every hive kept or gained weight.
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Harvest & Quality
Does a vitamin C spray boost vitamin C in lettuce?
In two Texas Tech greenhouse trials, spraying hydroponic lettuce with vitamin C just before harvest did not significantly raise vitamin C in the leaves, or harm growth.
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Harvest & Quality
Does coconut oil help finger limes keep longer?
In a University of Florida trial, finger limes stored at 10 °C kept better than fruit stored at 5 °C, and a thin coat of coconut oil cut weight loss further.
