Abstract
The strength of the connecting joint of boxthorn(Lycium chinense Mill) fruits to tree twigs was determined experimentally at several pulling angles(0$^{\circ}$, 15$^{\circ}$, 30$^{\circ}$,45$^{\circ}$and 60$^{\circ}$) and at different harvesting seasons from August to November 1999 using an universal testing machine. The detachment force of mature fruits of boxthorn decreased as the pulling angle increased and varied with the harvesting season. The detachment force however did not gradually decreased as the harvesting season advanced due to difference of maturity of fruits from one harvesting season to another. Among three varieties of boxthron Cheongyang gugija Cheongyang native and Cheongyang ＃2, the maximum detachment force was 1.24 N at the pulling angle of zero degree. The highest detachment forve(1.29 N) of mature fruits of boxthorn appeared at the harvesting season of August, 1999.
