Cultural Modifications of Deciduous Tree Fruits for Mechanized Production

Abstract

Tree fruit production is a labor intensive operation requiring an average of over 300 manhours/ha (38), which represents the largest single production cost (15). Most of this labor is seasonal, with hand pruning and harvesting accounting for 30% and 50%, respectively, of the total cost (6, 17, 34). The supply of skilled domestic workers to perform necessary operations usually does not meet the seasonal labor requirement. Substantial numbers of undocumented aliens are employed to reduce this shortage; but they represent an unstable supply (29, 33). Increased mechanization is one option for alleviating this labor shortage. Increased importation of low priced foreign fruit and fruit products is another justification for increased mechanization to reduce costs and keep American orchardists competitive (33).

Latest Developments in Training and Management of Fruit Crops on Tatura Trellis

“…With high-density plantings of short stature (> 3 m), over-the-row mechanization will become simpler and more practical. Prototype machines have been developed by several re search groups (19,24,25,28,37) and one has been adapted for Tatura Trellis (D.L. Peterson, personal communication).…”