In the rapidly evolving landscape of agricultural technology, a groundbreaking study has shed light on the frontier hotspots and future trends in fruit harvesting machinery. Led by YANG Daorina from the Tarim University Engineering College of Mechanical and Electrical in Xinjiang, China, the research provides a comprehensive visual analysis of the field, offering valuable insights for researchers and industry professionals alike.
The study, published in ‘Guoshu xuebao’ (which translates to ‘Journal of Fruit Science’), utilized CiteSpace v6.1.6R, a sophisticated visual analysis software, to examine 838 English literatures from the Web of Science core database spanning from 1994 to 2024. The analysis encompassed various aspects, including the number of published papers, authors, institutions, countries, and journals, to map out the co-occurrence network and density map of the research field.
The findings reveal a steady growth in the research on fruit harvesting machinery, with the annual publication volume increasing significantly over the years. “The number of publications in 2023 increased by 175, with a growth rate of 17500% compared to 1994,” noted YANG Daorina. This surge in academic interest underscores the growing importance and value of fruit harvesting machinery in the context of agricultural modernization.
Among the 56 research countries involved, China and the USA emerged as the top contributors. While China had the largest number of publications, the United States demonstrated a higher intermediary centrality, indicating a more prominent influence in the field. This disparity highlights the need for enhanced international research cooperation and closer collaborative relationships.
At the institutional level, Chinese universities dominated the top ten, with Northwest A & F University leading the pack. “The positive investment and important contribution of Chinese universities in the field of fruit harvesting machinery research are reflected in these findings,” YANG Daorina explained. The study emphasizes the crucial role of universities in driving innovation and development in this sector.
The analysis of author co-occurrence revealed that while some research groups have formed, cooperation and communication between them remain limited. Most collaborations occur within the same region, with cross-border and cross-regional cooperation being significantly weaker. Additionally, the study found that only 63 core authors had published more than four articles, accounting for just 9.97% of the total number of authors. This suggests that a stable and influential core author group has yet to be established in the field.
In terms of journals, “Computers and Electronics in Agriculture” stood out as the top publication, with 140 articles, accounting for more than 16% of the total. This journal’s prominence underscores the increasing integration of advanced technologies like machine vision and deep learning in fruit harvesting machinery.
Keyword analysis identified “mechanical harvesting” and “machine vision” as high-frequency keywords, indicating the current research hotspots. The study highlights the trend towards intelligence, informatization, and integration in the field of fruit harvesting machinery.
To propel the research in fruit harvesting machinery to new heights, YANG Daorina emphasizes the need for strengthened cooperation and exchanges among scholars from various countries. “Actively broadening the breadth and depth of research is crucial for achieving sustainable development and innovative breakthroughs in this field,” she stated.
This research not only provides a macro-level understanding of the current research status but also offers valuable insights for future development directions and technological innovations. As the agricultural sector continues to evolve, the findings from this study will undoubtedly shape the future of fruit harvesting machinery, driving efficiency and reducing labor costs in the fruit industry.