Evolution of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) harvesting: From traditional practices to mechanization and robotics

Ayan Paul, Rajendra Machavaram — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0600

This review aims to critically examine the technological evolution of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) harvesting, highlighting the transition from labor-intensive manual practices to mechanized and robotic systems. The study synthesizes historical records, experimental studies, and recent engineering developments to compare harvesting efficiency, labor requirements, costs, and fruit quality across manual, mechanical, and robotic approaches in both open-field and protected cultivation systems. Manual harvesting traditionally required approximately 950–1000 labor hours ha⁻¹, accounting for nearly 40–50% of total production costs, whereas mechanized harvesting introduced during the mid-20th century reduced labor inputs by 80–85%, achieving capacities of up to 9,000 kg h⁻¹ and decreasing operational costs from about $1,260 ha⁻¹ to $210 ha⁻¹. However, mechanical systems were associated with higher fruit damage rates (2.3–3.9%) compared to careful hand picking (<1%). Recent robotic platforms such as SWEEPER and Harvey demonstrate selective harvesting success rates of 61–76.5% with cycle times of 15–24 seconds per fruit, indicating substantial progress toward precision and autonomy. Despite these advances, challenges related to fruit damage, destemming efficiency, perception accuracy, and cultivar variability remain significant. The findings underscore the need for integrating advanced sensing technologies, machine learning algorithms, and adaptive end-effectors to improve harvesting performance. This review provides practical insights for researchers, technology developers, and growers seeking to enhance labor efficiency, economic viability, and sustainability in sweet pepper production systems.

Effect of land management practices on soil organic carbon in the mangrove ecosystem

Temola Temidayo Oluwayomi, Oke David Olarenwaju — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

This study assessed the distribution of soil organic carbon among soil fractions in a mangrove ecosystem in the Ilaje Area of Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from cultivated, regenerated, and natural forest lands at depths of 0 to 20 cm, 20 to 40 cm, and 40 to 60 cm. Sampling was conducted at three points along the diagonal of 20 m × 20 m plots established on three transects spaced 100 m apart within each site, using a 3 cm diameter soil auger. Soil organic carbon and selected physicochemical properties were determined using standard laboratory procedures. Total organic carbon (TOC) ranged from 5.70 ± 0.52% in cultivated land at 20 to 40 cm depth to 12.37 ± 1.50% in natural forest at the same depth. TOC differed significantly (P < 0.05) among land management practices but showed no significant variation with soil depth. POC and mineral-associated organic carbon (MOC) were also strongly influenced by land use, with POC values ranging from 3.21 ± 0.37% in cultivated land to 6.42 ± 0.36% in natural forest at 20 to 40 cm depth. Soil pH was moderately acidic across all depths and land uses, varying from 4.24 ± 0.10 to 5.38 ± 0.06. Overall, the findings underscore the significant role of land management practices in regulating soil organic carbon dynamics and related soil properties in mangrove ecosystems.

Current Research in Agricultural Sciences

Evolution of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) harvesting: From traditional practices to mechanization and robotics

Effect of land management practices on soil organic carbon in the mangrove ecosystem