PRODUCTIVELY DETERMINED PIECE-RATES FOR HARVESTING CITRUS IN CENTRAL ARIZONA

The major objective of this study was to develop productively determined piece-rates for picking citrus in central Arizona. A multiple regression model was used to determine the relationships between picker productivity and five field conditions: tree yield, fruit size, tree height, hedging of trees and interlocking of trees. The citrus varieties analyzed were navel oranges, grapefruit and lemons (both snap and ring/color picked lemons). Harvest crew observations were made for two harvest seasons, 1979-80 and 1980-81 for all the varieties studied except grapefruit (1979-80 season only). Hypothetical piece-rate schedules were determined for all varieties studied using the regressed productivity equations.

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