Harvest pruning of Sultana vines

Authors

  • P. May Horticultural Research Section, C. S. I. R. 0., Glen Osmond, South Australia
  • G. H. Kerridge Horticultural Research Section, C. S. I. R. 0., Glen Osmond, South Australia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5073/vitis.1967.6.390-394

Abstract

Preliminary investigations are described which promise to ultimately lead to mechanical harvesting of dried sultana fruit. In the experiments the canes which bear most of the fruiting shoots were severed from the vine when the fruit was mature. Subsequently the fruit was treated in four different ways:
  • (1) Picked after wilting, dipped and dried on drying racks;
  • (2) sha'ken off the vines a'fter wilting and dried on ground sheets;
  • (3) shaken a,s dried fruit off the vines;
  • (4) sprayed with dipping emulsion on the vine and shaken off as dried fruit.
Treatments 2 and 3 produced dark-coloured fruit and treatments 1 and 4 goliden-coloured fruit. Treating vines once in this manner did in no way affect next season's yield. Possible means to mechanize the harvest are discussed.

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Published

2017-02-22

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