Effect of shelter on temperate crops: a review to define research for Australian conditions |
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Authors: | I K Nuberg |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Agronomy and Farming Systems, University of Adelaide, South Australia, 5371, Australia |
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Abstract: | The fact that the shelter created by windbreaks can have a significant, positive effect on crop production is supported by
eight decades of research from many countries around the world. Although the concept of planting windbreaks to enhance crop
production has general currency in Australia, the practice is not as wide as it could be. This review of the last decade of
windbreak literature defines the research needed to encourage wider utilisation of windbreak technology. After outlining the
principal mechanisms behind the effect of shelter on temperate crops, the review discusses relevant literature of the past
decade especially that from Australia. The main mechanisms discussed are: the protection of crops from physical damage; soil
conservation; the direct augmentation of soil moisture; and the alteration of the crop energy balance and plant water relations.
Also discussed are the elusiveness of the shelter effect, competition from windbreak trees, and the modelling of windbreak
systems. Suggestions for future research in Australia include: quantifying the competition of various windbreak species and
the effect of root pruning on both crop and tree; a model of crop energy and water relations at the tree-crop interface; an
economic model and a farmer-oriented decision support tool.
This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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Keywords: | competition crop yield microclimate modelling water use windbreaks |
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