New Labor-Saving Cutting Tool for Grapevine Flower Thinning

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  • Yakushiji Hiroshi
    Grape and Persimmon Research Station, National Institute of Fruit Tree Science (NIFTS)
  • Ueno Toshihito
    Grape and Persimmon Research Station, National Institute of Fruit Tree Science (NIFTS)
  • Azuma Akifumi
    Grape and Persimmon Research Station, National Institute of Fruit Tree Science (NIFTS)
  • Koshita Yoshiko
    Grape and Persimmon Research Station, National Institute of Fruit Tree Science (NIFTS)

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  • 新規道具を利用したブドウ花穂整形の省力化
  • シンキ ドウグ オ リヨウシタ ブドウ カスイ セイケイ ノ ショウリョクカ

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Abstract

We designed a new device for grapevine flower thinning to improve task efficiency and lighten the work burden. The prototype is a palm-sized tool equipped with two semicircular blades. Each blade is surrounded by a support plate, and the two support plates are connected to each other by a curved spring. The tool is used by placing the axis of the primary rachis within the circular space between the blades and locking the support plates together with the provided locking clip. Then, the cutting tool is slid downward along the primary rachis to cut off the unwanted flowers. In a pilot experiment conducted to test the prototype tool, the time required for flower thinning of the seedless cultivars ‘Aki Queen’ and ‘Kyoho’ (Vitis vinifera × V. labruscana) was shortened by 24%–39% when the prototype was used, compared to the time required using horticultural scissors. Similarly, this tool reduced the time required for flower thinning of the seeded cultivar `Kyoho' by about 35%. The tool did not cause large scars on the surface of the primary axis after its use, and did not have any undesirable effect on fruit quality. Therefore, this new cutter is a useful labor-saving tool for flower thinning of both seedless and seeded cultured grapevine varieties in accordance with established practice.<br>

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