Application of Machines in the Grapevine Defoliation

Abstract

Modern grapevine production technology involves the implementation of various technological operations, among which grapevine defoliation has an important place. Defoliation is an ampelotechnical measure of removing a certain number of leaves from the cluster zone. Removing the leaves changes the microclimate conditions of the grapevine (light intensity, temperature, humidity, ventilation), which affects the yield, structure of the clusters and the quality of the grapes. Leaves removal can be done manually, with chemical agents (defoliants) and with the use of machines. With development of different technical solutions and different designs of defoliation machines, the productivity of work today is significantly increased compared to the manual removal of leaves, which is still dominant in Serbia region. The technological parameters of grapevine plantations necessary for efficient and rational application of defoliation machines will be presented in this paper. Modern technical solutions and basic operating parameters of machines commonly used in practice will also be presented in this paper.