Trunk Shakers for Citrus HarvestingPart II: Tree Growth, Fruit Yield and Removal

i TTAMLIN' and 'Valencia' oranges were harvested for XX5 seasons to evaluate the effectiveness of 4 trunk shaking patterns (2 linear, and 2 multidirectional, with and without abscission chemicals). Fruit yields, removal efficiencies, and trunk circumferences were measured. Hamlin yields were not affected by the shakers; Valencia yields were significantly reduced by one of the multidirectional shaker patterns. Abscission chemicals did not reduce the yields of either Hamlin or Valencia. Abscission chemicals increased shaker removal efficiencies from 64% to 90% in Hamlin and from 74% to 91% in Valencia. Trunk growth was not affected by shaking. The most vigorous linear shaking pattern provided superior harvesting efficiency.