MATHEMATICAL MODELLING OF TREE CROP ORCHARD DESIGN: INTERTREE SHADING DURING CRITICAL SEASONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL WINDOWS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON OPTIMAL SPACING

Source abstract

The authors have developed a computer model designed for shade-intolerant tree crops which describes the amount of intertree shading in an orchard. These data are used to formulate an optimal orchard design based on shading reduction in orchards for any tree crop during any developmental window at any global location. Tree shape is modelled as an ellipsoid bisected about the semi-minor axis, with ellipsoid dimensions and eccentricity altered to reflect growth stages of the trees. Intertree shading is measured as the surface area of the projected shadow on the ellipsoid. Variables include crop, light extinction, ellipsoid dimensions, intertree spacing, orchard geometry, time and day of the year, and geographical coordinates. Simulations compared the sunlight-related attributes of a variety of orchard geometries for different growth phases of the trees during different parts of the year for several global locations. Results indicate extensive variability of intertree shading to be a function of latitude, regardless of other variables.