ISHS Acta Horticulturae 499: V International Symposium on Computer Modelling in Fruit Research and Orchard Management
COMPUTATIONAL MODEL FOR DIRECT SOLAR IRRADIATION OF CANOPY IN DENSE ORCHARD |
| Authors: | E.E. Gussakovsky, Y. Shahak |
| Keywords: | Star Ruby grapefruit, Valencia orange, Murcott mandarin, fruit yield |
| Abstract:
A computational model (formulations and computer program) was developed to estimate the energy of direct solar radiation incidence on canopies in dense orchards taking the shading by adjacent trees into account. The model considers direct solar irradiation, but not diffused or reflected light. The annual incident direct solar energy was calculated for experimental plots of Star Ruby red grapefruit, Valencia orange and Murcott mandarin, and compared with the respective fruit yield during 1992–1997. The annual direct solar energy calculated for three experimental citrus orchards was found to be closely correlated with the actual fruit yield for all species tested. The model allowed both to determine the efficiency of the side and top surfaces of the canopy in their contribution to the annual fruit yield and to predict the optimal plantation design at which the orchard productivity is expected to be maximal. | |
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