Efficiency of labor in winter pruning of apple trees using technological innovations

The increase of new technologies in fruit-growing crops has increased productivity in cultural practices and helped farmers expand their production areas. This work aimed to quantify labor performance in winter pruning of apple trees, using manual and electronic scissors associated with utilizing a pruning platform and ladders. The treatments consisted of two types of pruning shears and two support systems. A pruner carried out pruning for 16 days, with a journey of 10 h per day. The average yield in manual pruning with a ladder was 21.35 plants pruned per hour per man. Using a platform, the yield increased to 46.25 plants pruned per hour per man. Pruning with electronic scissors with a ladder showed an average yield of 33.47 plants pruned per hour per man. With platform support, yield increased to 128.5 plants pruned per hour per man. Using electronic pruning scissors reduced the time for carrying out the activity. Pruning performed with platform support was more efficient, regardless of the type of tool used. This way, the technologies available for apple tree pruning increase operational profitability and can reduce worker fatigue.