The development of a software-supported identification system to reduce storage damage in fruit production

The objective of the project is to develop a multimedia system to identify and prevent storage damage for apples. An important element here is the development of computer-assisted development software.
Post-harvesting losses represent a global as well as a regional problem in the value-added chain of agricultural products. Corresponding damage is caused in particular physiologically or by parasites. The large range of types of fruit as well as the varieties on the market require product-specific handling of the fruit after it is harvested. As storage damage occurring is caused or provoked to a large degree by incorrect handling of the fruit, specialist knowledge is of crucial importance among those involved, regarding the causes of storage damage as well as how to avoid it. 

The production of high-quality fruit, as well as reliability for the customer, is a basic precondition for surviving in the fruit market at a national and international level. Weather conditions that change each year, among other things, contribute to the fact that in “critical years” in particular, harvesting schedules as well as storage conditions have to be optimally adapted to the variety of fruit in question in order to prevent greater losses in storage. The Lake Constance region (Germany and Switzerland), the Altes Land area near Hamburg and South Tirol are among the most important European fruit cultivation areas. 
Cross-border cooperation between the four research institutions should therefore enable the use of common research resources as well as the use of synergetic effects in the project. 

According to FAO estimates, around one third of the food produced for human consumption is lost following harvesting. The majority of the losses occurs due to parasite and physiological diseases, which arise in particular during the transportation or storage of the products. The amount of apples produced for fresh consumption in the Lake Constance region is around 250,000 tons per year, and this therefore represents around 30% of German apple production. The losses from physiological and parasitic causes and storage in domestic apple cultivation can be estimated at around 6% in terms of integrated production or up to 20% in ecological cultivation. The economic cost amounts to an estimated EUR 25,000,000 per season in the case of Germany. As the major part of damage arising can be avoided by proper handling of the fruit after harvesting, the knowledge of those involved is a decisive precondition for preventing the causes of damage. 

The objective of the project is to develop a multimedia system to identify and prevent storage damage. Computer-assisted identification software should help to determine the current causes of damage and at the same time present measures for preventing the damage. It should be possible to use the software on stationary and mobile devices, irrespective of the operating system, thereby making it accessible to as large a user base as possible. Knowledge or advice should also be provided via an online lexicon (Wiki) and should be associated with the application developed. This enables later ongoing updating of the content. Besides the IT-supported systems, brochures or posters with the corresponding content should also be developed to provide end users with information.