The 2014 harvest results of covering trials at Michigan State University have now been completed for timing of the harvest, overall yield and fruit size. One of the primary objectives of the automated roofs was to determine how much the harvest time can be accelerated.
This year, the flowering under the automated roofs was brought forward by approximately 15 days and the harvest was brought forward by 12 days. The overall yield in the automated roof was increased by 473% compared to the uncovered trees and 152% compared to the trees under the conventional rain shelter.
Fruit size under the automated roofs was increased by 14% compared to the uncovered trees and 6% compared to those under the rain shelter. The data on fruit firmness and brix are still being analysed and will be available soon.
The following video was taken on June 23, 2014 just before the harvest started in the retractable roof: