Effect of Poplar (Populus deltoides) shelterbelt on the growth and yield of wheat in Punjab, India

A study was conducted around Chandigarh (Punjab), India to assess the effect of Populus deltoides shelterbelt on wheat. Crop density, root and shoot length, biomass and grain yield of wheat at crop maturity were significantly lower, up to 12 ± 1 m in the fields sheltered by P. deltoides than in unsheltered plots. The reduction of biomass and grain yield of wheat were comparatively more than that of other parameters. The observed reduction in the growth and yield of wheat could be attributed to phytotoxic interference of the phenolics from the tree with the crop. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.