Cumin-Harvesting Mechanization of the Xinjiang Cotton–Cumin Intercropping System: Review of the Problem Status and Solutions
Cumin (<i>Cuminum cyminum</i> L.) is a globally important spice crop, particularly significant in Xinjiang, China, where it is extensively cultivated in cotton–cumin intercropping systems. This review concentrates on the serious bottleneck hindering the development of the cumin industry:...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Agriculture |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/8/809 |
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| author | Sheng Tai Zhong Tang Bin Li Shiguo Wang Xiaohu Guo |
| author_facet | Sheng Tai Zhong Tang Bin Li Shiguo Wang Xiaohu Guo |
| author_sort | Sheng Tai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cumin (<i>Cuminum cyminum</i> L.) is a globally important spice crop, particularly significant in Xinjiang, China, where it is extensively cultivated in cotton–cumin intercropping systems. This review concentrates on the serious bottleneck hindering the development of the cumin industry: the low level of harvesting mechanization. Traditional manual harvesting methods are labor-intensive, inefficient, and result in high yield losses. This paper fully explores the prospects and challenges of mechanizing cumin harvesting in accordance with the particular biological characteristics of cumin plants and the complexity of intercropping systems. We review the current status of research in the following domains: (1) cumin biological traits and intercropping models; (2) grain loss and stalk damage patterns in stripper harvesting of similar crops; (3) factors influencing root–soil interaction during mechanical extraction; (4) uprooting–conveying harvesting techniques and row division/plant singulation methods applicable to root and tuber crops; and (5) cumin-threshing and -cleaning technologies. This review highlights the inadequacy of current grain-harvesting machinery for cumin and underscores the urgent need for specialized, low-loss harvesting technologies tailored to cumin’s delicate nature and intercropping context. Finally, we propose future research directions to overcome these mechanization challenges and promote the sustainable development of the cumin industry. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e287d44f3cb64cbf8d832755fc1a569a |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2077-0472 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agriculture |
| spelling | doaj-art-e287d44f3cb64cbf8d832755fc1a569a2025-08-20T02:24:40ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722025-04-0115880910.3390/agriculture15080809Cumin-Harvesting Mechanization of the Xinjiang Cotton–Cumin Intercropping System: Review of the Problem Status and SolutionsSheng Tai0Zhong Tang1Bin Li2Shiguo Wang3Xiaohu Guo4College of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaCollege of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaXinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Science, Shihezi 832000, ChinaXinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Science, Shihezi 832000, ChinaCollege of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaCumin (<i>Cuminum cyminum</i> L.) is a globally important spice crop, particularly significant in Xinjiang, China, where it is extensively cultivated in cotton–cumin intercropping systems. This review concentrates on the serious bottleneck hindering the development of the cumin industry: the low level of harvesting mechanization. Traditional manual harvesting methods are labor-intensive, inefficient, and result in high yield losses. This paper fully explores the prospects and challenges of mechanizing cumin harvesting in accordance with the particular biological characteristics of cumin plants and the complexity of intercropping systems. We review the current status of research in the following domains: (1) cumin biological traits and intercropping models; (2) grain loss and stalk damage patterns in stripper harvesting of similar crops; (3) factors influencing root–soil interaction during mechanical extraction; (4) uprooting–conveying harvesting techniques and row division/plant singulation methods applicable to root and tuber crops; and (5) cumin-threshing and -cleaning technologies. This review highlights the inadequacy of current grain-harvesting machinery for cumin and underscores the urgent need for specialized, low-loss harvesting technologies tailored to cumin’s delicate nature and intercropping context. Finally, we propose future research directions to overcome these mechanization challenges and promote the sustainable development of the cumin industry.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/8/809cuminmechanizationharvestingintercroppinggrain loss |
| spellingShingle | Sheng Tai Zhong Tang Bin Li Shiguo Wang Xiaohu Guo Cumin-Harvesting Mechanization of the Xinjiang Cotton–Cumin Intercropping System: Review of the Problem Status and Solutions Agriculture cumin mechanization harvesting intercropping grain loss |
| title | Cumin-Harvesting Mechanization of the Xinjiang Cotton–Cumin Intercropping System: Review of the Problem Status and Solutions |
| title_full | Cumin-Harvesting Mechanization of the Xinjiang Cotton–Cumin Intercropping System: Review of the Problem Status and Solutions |
| title_fullStr | Cumin-Harvesting Mechanization of the Xinjiang Cotton–Cumin Intercropping System: Review of the Problem Status and Solutions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cumin-Harvesting Mechanization of the Xinjiang Cotton–Cumin Intercropping System: Review of the Problem Status and Solutions |
| title_short | Cumin-Harvesting Mechanization of the Xinjiang Cotton–Cumin Intercropping System: Review of the Problem Status and Solutions |
| title_sort | cumin harvesting mechanization of the xinjiang cotton cumin intercropping system review of the problem status and solutions |
| topic | cumin mechanization harvesting intercropping grain loss |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/8/809 |
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