IMPORTANCE OF PRE-HARVEST, HARVEST AND POST-HARVEST ACTIVITIES

Harvest is an activity of great importance as it is crucial to maintain the quality of the product obtained in the field. Nuts of the European hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) fall to the ground when ripe but should remain on the ground as short as possible to avoid the onset of alterations in the seed.

When raising hazelnut plantations, all the factors that can facilitate harvest and make harvesting operations economically sustainable must be taken into consideration. For a quick and effective harvest, soil has to be suitably prepared for the use of harvesting machines.

The fall of the nuts is gradual, and occurs over a short or long period depending on a cultivar and especially on the climate trends throughout the year. Harvesting must be conducted in several steps to preserve the quality of the fruit and to avoid product loss caused by atmospheric factors, particularly in areas with sloping land.

After the harvest, cleaning and drying of the fruit must be carried out quickly; storing must be done under appropriate conditions and will differ in duration depending on the selected type of conservation.

Therefore, a goal of a farmer is to obtain good production in terms of quantity and quality, always keeping in mind that the result achieved in the field can be compromised with a harvest that is not carried out on time or with poor treatment of the hazelnuts in the post-harvest period.