Mechanization of Pruning, Canopy Management, and Harvest in Winegrape Vineyards

S. Kaan Kurtural,Matthew W. Fidelibus

doi:10.5344/catalyst.2021.20011

S. Kaan Kurtural, Matthew W. Fidelibus

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5344/catalyst.2021.20011

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Abstract

<h3>Summary</h3> <h3>Aim:</h3> In winegrape production, pruning, canopy management, and harvest are essential practices that are increasingly being done by machines. How well these practices are executed can substantially affect fruit yield and quality. Mechanization offers timeliness, uniformity, and cost benefits, but most methods available to date are nonselective and optimal execution requires careful attention to vineyard design, management, and machine settings. This review provides information to help growers make the best use of machines for these tasks. <h3>Key Themes:</h3> Vineyard design considerations Winter pruning Canopy management Harvesting <h3>Impact and Significance:</h3> The need to manage large vineyards in a contracting labor market is achievable with mechanization. This review summarizes the best practices in consideration of vineyard design, as well as operation of machines for optimal productivity for the winegrape grower. This review also provides information to help growers effectively incorporate the machines in their vineyards for consistent and economical production of winegrapes including pruning, shoot-thinning, fruit-zone leaf removal, crop load management, and mechanical harvest.

Highlights

Aim: In winegrape production, pruning, canopy management, and harvest are essential practices that are increasingly being done by machines
This review provides information to help growers effectively incorporate the machines in their vineyards for consistent and economical production of winegrapes including pruning, shootthinning, fruit-zone leaf removal, crop load management, and mechanical harvest
As growers adapted to mechanical harvest[7] and pruning, they searched for other methods to mechanize other cultural operations such as shoot[6] and fruit-zone leaf removal,[8,9,10] berry thinning,[11] and shoot positioning.[12]

Summary

Aim: In winegrape production, pruning, canopy management, and harvest are essential practices that are increasingly being done by machines. The most laborious vineyard tasks are dormant pruning, canopy management, and harvesting,[5] and mechanization for these methods has received considerable attention from academics, equipment manufacturers, and growers.[6] As growers adapted to mechanical harvest[7] and pruning, they searched for other methods to mechanize other cultural operations such as shoot[6] and fruit-zone leaf removal,[8,9,10] berry thinning,[11] and shoot positioning.[12] Machinery was developed and commercialized by researchers at the University of Arkansas[13,14] and commercialized by partners for these practices Adoption of such machinery is increasing with economic necessity and as growers develop the knowledge and experience necessary to use these tools effectively. The degree to which manual labor can be reduced depends on the growing region (coastal versus inland), grapevine cultivar (upright versus downright growth habit), and the discovery into practice 5:1 (2021)

A Publication of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture

Findings

Key Themes