Effect of wind breakers using eucalyptus on cultivation of kinnow mandarin

Abstract

Wind breaks are established around farms to reduce adverse effects of hot and cold winds, however in Punjab the objective of raising eucalyptus in the boundary is for getting additional income. Boundary plantation of eucalyptus trees negatively affects fruit crops by way of competition for light, moisture, nutrients, etc. Experiment was conducted to quantify effect of eucalyptus boundary plantation on mandarin orange. The effect on tree growth, fruit yield and juice quality was different on all four directions and at different distances from boundary plantation. Mandarin growth was not affected adversely but the fruit yield was considerably affected on south and west direction of boundary. The fruit yield reduction was in the tune of 45.69, 64.1, 61.2 and 56.86 % in south, east, north and west direction at sixth year of plantation, respectively. TSS was more near the eucalyptus boundary plantation and reduced progressively with distance. Eucalyptus trees captured significant carbon, which can be sequestered for long term throu gh its variable end uses.