Assessment of the mechanization of row covers for cucurbit crops

Rachel L. Herzberg; H. Mark Hanna; Brian L. Steward; Kurt A. Rosentrater

doi:10.13031/aim.201700686

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Assessment of the mechanization of row covers for cucurbit crops

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  2017 ASABE Annual International Meeting 1700686.(doi:10.13031/aim.201700686)
Authors:   Rachel L. Herzberg, H. Mark Hanna, Brian L. Steward, Kurt A. Rosentrater
Keywords:   cantaloupe, disease, horticulture, insects, supports

Abstract. Row covers provide pest protection for cantaloupe and squash, but require labor to set up and remove. A mechanical retrieval system reduced time to remove cover and generally added to labor savings, reducing total time for deployment and retrieval by 5 minutes (nearly a 10% time reduction as compared to manual retrieval). Using conduit hoops in the Proteknet system increased time to insert and erect hoops into the soil. Hoop erection and hoop handling in and out of storage required 12 minutes more time for the Proteknet/conduit system (nearly a 27% time increase), with much of the time attributed to deployment issues.

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