Hybrid string blossom thinner tested in peach orchards

Peach producers have traditionally relied heavily on hand thinning, a necessary but costly and labor-intensive field practice. Researchers in Pennsylvania examined whether a new string thinner prototype designed to thin vase or angled tree canopies could be adapted for varying orchard systems. Field trials demonstrated reduced labor costs compared with hand-thinned controls, and increased crop value due to a larger distribution of fruit in marketable and higher market value sizes.