Microclimate patterns on the leeside of single-row tree windbreaks during different weather conditions in Florida farms: implications for improved crop production

Abstract

Florida citrus and vegetable crops generate billions of dollars in revenue every year. However, wind, freezing temperatures, hurricanes, and diseases negatively impact production. Windbreaks located perpendicular to the prevailing wind can increase farm production simply by reducing wind and modifying microclimate. Windbreaks can also help in managing pathogens such as citrus canker (Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri). To study the modification of wind speed, temperature, and relative humidity on the leeside of single-row tree windbreaks in southern Florida, automated weather stations were installed in 2007/2008 at 2 m above the ground along transects perpendicular to a eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) and three cadaghi (Corymbia torelliana) (WB1-WB3) windbreaks. All windbreaks reduced wind speed, with minimum wind speed (*5% of the open wind speed) at two times the distance of windbreak height (2H, where H = windbreak height in m) on the leeside of a E. redcedar (*17% porosity) and at 4H (*3-30% of the open wind speed) and 6H (\50% of the open wind speed) on the leeside of cadaghi windbreaks WB1 (*22% porosity) and WB2 (*36% porosity), respectively, when the wind direction was nearly perpendicular to the windbreaks. Wind speed reduction was observed up to 31 times the windbreak height (31H). Cadaghi windbreaks reduced wind speed on the leeside even during a tropical storm event. Temperatures on the leeside of the windbreaks were warmer during the day and cooler near the windbreaks at night compared to temperature in the open fields. This study demonstrates that single-row tree windbreaks can reduce wind and modify the microclimate to enhance crop production for Florida growers.

Tree-Based Production Systems for Africa’s Drylands

“…Trees can diffuse winds and lower the impact of wind/rain speeds to minimize damage on nearby crops (Lott, Ong, and Black 2009;Sendzimir, Reij, and Magnuszewski 2011;Tamang, Andreu, and Rockwood 2010). Perhaps the most often cited example is that of the windbreak practice in Majjia Valley, Niger.…”

Effect of Nitrogen, shading and intercropping on alfalfa-ziziphus agroforestry system under arid land conditions

“…The resultant effects will be in the form of increased growth rate, soil moisture and soil protection (Tamang et al, 2010). Agroforestry also produce positive net tree effect on availability of nitrogen and assist in capture and use of the underutilized resources from the soil (Ong et al, 2002).…”

Absence of windbreaks and replanting citrus in solid sets increase density of Asian citrus psyllid populations

“…Windbreaks are also known to alter microclimate (Baudry et al, 2000), which may affect herbivores and natural enemies differently. The main microclimatic changes induced by windbreaks within citrus orchards are reduction of leeward wind elevation, reduction of nighttime temperature, and an increase of daytime temperatures near the windbreak on the leeside compared with temperatures further away from the windbreak (Tamang et al, 2010). Also, shade induced by windbreaks may reduce flush production and therefore reduce attractiveness of citrus toward D. citri.…”