Effects of Eucalyptus windbreaks on microclimate of a mango orchard in Saharanpur District (U.P.).
Laxmi Rawat, Raturi A. S., Pande S. K., Bhattacharya M. K.
Author Affiliation: Forest Influences Unit of Project Formulation Cell, ICFRE, Dehra Dun, India.
Van Vigyan 31 : 55-58
Abstract : The results are reported of field experiments at a site was near Bhatpura village, Fatehpur, Chhutmalpur, to assess the influence of windbreaks on wind velocity, air temperature, relative humidity and solar radiation. The windbreaks (shelterbelts) under study were 7-yr-old Eucalyptus hybrid [E. tereticornis] of average height (H) 20-22 m, in 2 rows around a mango orchard of 135×127 m, which consisted of 170 trees 5 yr old of average height 3 m. Agricultural crops were planted in rotation in the orchard and on adjacent open agricultural land. Compared with measurements made in the open agricultural area, all the microclimatic parameters studied were significantly altered in the windbreak sheltered area. Wind velocity was most affected - it was significantly reduced at a distance of 3H on the leeward side of the windbreak; the reduction was about 36% during the crop sowing period and 51% during the harvesting period.