Influence of eucalypt shelterbelt on winter season agroecosystems

Abstract

In India, Eucalyptus has recently been planted on an ambitious scale as a monoculture, or as a shelterbelt in agricultural fields. In this study, the influence of the tree on six winter crops, in terms of plant density, root and shoot growth, biomass and economic yield, was found to be negative up to 11 m to the south of the trees at three geographically different locations. Beyond 11 m, no influence of Eucalyptus was noticed. A strong direct negative correlation exists between the parameters measured and the distance from the tree. The economic yield is affected the most. In order to predict the performance of any crop under the influence of the tree at any distance, a mathematical formula ( percent performance=100+^m(x-24)/₂)was developed (where m represents the value of regression slope and x the distance from the tree).