New Research Orchard to improve sorting and grading of fruits

TOMRA Food has unveiled its Research Orchard, a unique facility dedicated to studying and improving the sorting and grading of fruits. Located in Waikato, New Zealand, the orchard covers a 2.5-hectare plot adjacent to TOMRA's Field Research Center.

Richard Pickard, TOMRA Fresh Food's Field Research Manager, explained that the orchard's primary purpose is to monitor the growth and development of plants. By studying fruit defects, quality issues, and important characteristics like flavor and firmness, TOMRA aims to enhance their understanding of fruit sorting and grading. The Research Orchard complements TOMRA's Fruit Science program, which has been researching fruit properties and sorting requirements for over a decade.

Currently, almost half of the orchard has been planted with kiwifruit, apples, cherries, and avocados. In the near future, they plan to add lemons, mandarins, limes, oranges, and blueberries. The cultivation methods include both conventional and experimental techniques, such as upright fruiting offshoot cherries, future orchard production system apples, and in-bag blueberries grown under covers. Sustainability is also a key focus, with the use of eco-friendly materials and water irrigation controlled by a solar system with moisture meters to minimize waste. Additionally, the orchard utilizes mulch, pruning, and cut grass to enrich the soil.

TOMRA Food's Research Orchard builds upon their extensive collection of fruit data, acquired from numerous samples and analyzed for factors like flavor, firmness, storage potential, defects, and weather conditions. The orchard provides a controlled environment where the complete history of each fruit, including pre- and post-harvest conditions, is known. This high-quality data and understanding allow TOMRA to draw accurate conclusions and deepen their comprehension of fruit quality.

Brittany Jaine, TOMRA Fresh Food's Commodity Science Team Lead, emphasized the importance of scientific studies and the need for detailed information. The Research Orchard enables TOMRA to examine the pre- and post-harvest physiology of their products, facilitating a better understanding of the quality challenges faced by customers.

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