INFLUENCE OF HARVESTER TYPE AND HARVESTING TIME ON QUALITY HARVESTED CHAMOMILE

Abstract

This paper is the result of studying effects of mechanical chamomile harvesting on yield and quality of harvested chamomile. Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita (L) Rausch.) was harvested at three time intervals (T-240 days, T2-250 days and T3-260 days after sowing) by three conceptually different harvesters. The results achieved indicate that harvester type significantly influences quality of harvested chamomile, while it does not influence chamomile harvesting time. Quality of harvested chamomile was classified into four categories, and it was observed that the greater number of rotations of picking device increases content of the I category quality. Harvester A achieves 54.79% of the I category quality in respect to harvester B with 50.26% and harvester C with 42.93%.