Determining the shear strength and force of plucking rose leaves

In this study, the effects of bevel angle and cutting speed on the shear strength and energy consumption per unit area of ​​the stem of Rose (Rosa hybrids) were studied by performing a cutting test. Also, the effect of leaf plucking speed, direction of tension, and leaf location on the stem on the force and energy consumed to pluck the leaf from the stem was studied. All tests were performed using an Instron tension-compression testing machine. The average shear strength and energy consumption per unit area of ​​the stems were estimated to be 1.63 MPa and 16.5 mJ/mm2, respectively. The bevel angle of the blade showed a significant effect at the 1% level on shear strength and energy consumption per unit area of ​​the stem. By increasing the cutting speed from 10 to 500 mm/min, the shear strength and energy consumption per unit area of ​​the stem decreased. As the stem diameter increased, the cross-sectional area of ​​the petiole also increased. With increasing stem diameter, the amount of force and energy required to pluck the leaf increased, while we saw a decrease in the amount of energy per unit area. The speed and direction of traction had a significant effect at the 1% level on the tensile strength and energy per unit area, while the location of the leaf was only significant for energy. The results of Duncan's test showed that the average force for positive and negative traction was 21.13 and 22.2 Newton, respectively.