The main objective of the project is to reduce the increasingly difficult-to-meet demand for (seasonal) labor in pear cultivation. This is achieved through a systematic approach to pruning, thinning, and harvesting using existing, available techniques. A holistic approach is central to this: a well-considered fit of new measures within existing pruning systems/farm structure, and the conversion of new plots with a view to maximizing the use of labor-reducing measures. Such a shift towards labor-reducing measures must enable economically, technically, ecologically, and socially sustainable fruit cultivation. Minimal impact or improvement in terms of fruit yield and quality, and sustainable control over tree development are crucial. In addition to ‘classic’ measurements (yield, quality, etc.), extensive time studies are conducted to evaluate the financial aspect of specific pruning, thinning, and harvesting methods.

In pruning, a shortage of trained labor leads to trees being pruned too late or poorly. Mechanical (pre-)pruning can reduce the labor requirement in pruning. In this method, the tops and sometimes also the shoots on the scaffold branches and the side of the tree are mechanically shortened, followed by manual corrective pruning. This method is gaining popularity, but performing mechanical pruning in a sustainable manner remains a challenge. In this project, we are testing how mechanical pruning can be applied to different tree shapes. This will also allow for the derivation of simpler pruning rules to better train personnel and control intelligent, more targeted mechanical pruning (robots).

For thinning, manual thinning remains a common method: it avoids the risk of over-thinning but involves significant manual labor. A further shift towards chemical/mechanical thinning is inevitable, but better control is desirable. We therefore compare the various chemical and mechanical thinning methods based on their effect on yield, production, and the time required for additional manual thinning. We also test whether chemical thinning can be applied more cost-effectively by measuring flower intensity using remote sensing, coupled with the variable application of chemical thinning agents at the tree level (task map). Root pruning to inhibit growth and stimulate fruit set is also carried out variably per tree in this project using task maps.

Picking requires the most man-hours – performed by both casual seasonal workers and skilled tractor drivers. Although commercial picking robots are not yet available, tools such as the Pluk-O-Trak and picking trains/harvest wagons can already provide labor savings. However, these are used to a relatively limited extent in Flanders. We compare the labor requirements and efficiency of various picking methods in different tree shapes. Important tree shape factors are tree height and how easy the fruit is to find and reach. The optimal tree shape for efficient picking can also be a good stepping stone to the efficient deployment of future picking robots.