Mechanical pruning of grapevines

Date or time period: 1975

In 1975, Morris & Cawthorn published the first research on mechanical pruning of Concord (Vitis labruscana) grapevines at the University of Arkansas; similar research was conducted in Italy and Australia of Vitis vinifera varieties. A tractor-mounted multi-cutter bar device was trialled at the University of Bologna, while in the effect of actual and simulated mechanical pruning on vine growth, yield and fruit composition was studied over several seasons