A Microcomputer-Based System for Continuous Measurement and Recording Fruit Diameter in Relation to Environmental Factors

A robust yet sensitive field system for continuously measuringand logging diameters of up to eight fruits, together with relevantmeteorological variables such as radiation, temperature andhumidity, is described. The system uses linear variable differentialtransformers to monitor fruit diameter changes and data-loggingis controlled by a microcomputer. A detailed analysis of errorsis presented. Application of the system to the study of environmentalcontrol of diurnal fluctuations in diameter of apple fruitsis described. Key words: Apple, Data logger, LVDTs (linear variable differential transformers)