Data-driven leaf pruning based on weekly light integral: importance of dynamic defoliation strategy

Regardless of PAR range, the WLI-based pruning methods resulted in 35 - 42% fewer pruning events. The fewer pruning events were associated with the supplemental lighting use, leaving significantly more leaves per plant in the WLI-based pruning method than in Control. No significant differences were observed in the weekly increase in stem length, the stem diameter, and the cumulative yields between WLI-based pruning method and Control. However, WLI-based pruning method increased the total soluble solid contents of the harvested fruit. These findings suggest that: 1) Leaf pruning strategies should be adjusted based on light availability within the crop canopy, which is influenced by solar radiation and supplemental lighting, and 2) Monitoring WLI below canopy to determine leaf pruning timing is an effective method in lowering labor cost without reducing yield and fruit quality.