Effect of pneumatic defoliation on fruit quality in Southern Victoria

May 2022 | Nic Finger with Eric Zhang, Fruit Help | Future Orchards® trial report

Pneumatic defoliation is increasingly used to improve light exposure and fruit colour, but its effects on maturity, damage and storage performance need to be understood. This Southern Victorian Future Orchards® trial assessed the physiological and fruit-quality response to pneumatic leaf removal in a cool-climate production system.

The trial was designed around the practical questions growers were asking about leaf blowers: whether treatment changes fruit maturity, colour and packout; whether it affects the percentage of fruit suitable for first pick; and whether it increases sunburn, bruising, cuts or punctures. Return bloom and economic implications were also relevant to assessing the system.

The work is particularly important for regions where a significant share of the crop is destined for medium- or long-term storage. Greater light exposure can improve red colour, but any acceleration of maturity or increase in physical damage could reduce the value of that gain.

This report provides an applied framework for evaluating pneumatic defoliation as a whole-of-business practice rather than only a colour-management tool.