Guidelines on how to reduce wind damage in citrus orchards

New research has revealed the benefits of planting windbreaks in citrus orchards to prevent wind damage to the fruit.

- Glenneis Kriel

Windbreaks can help to reduce wind damage to citrus fruit, but only if they are managed properly, according to a recently published study.

Heinrich Geldenhuys, who carried out the research as part of his master’s degree in horticultural science at Stellenbosch University (SU), conducted the study on Tango mandarin orchards in the Stellenbosch area. Beefwood (Casuarina cunninghamiana) and Chinese poplar (Populus simonii) trees had been planted here as windbreaks at various distances from the orchards.

His research revealed that south-easterly wind at the end of the year, just after fruit set in October to December, caused more damage to the citrus trees than wind in July and August, when late mandarins were typically harvested.