Effects of Shelterbelt on Soil Temperature, Soil Moisture and Vegetable Yield in a Semi-desert Environment Along the River Nile State, Sudan

Abstract

Two studies were carried out in two sites: The first one dealt with common vegetable crops grown behind a one - raw shelterbelt in Shendi University experimental farm for three consecutive seasons. The yields of the test crops were significantly higher behind the shelterbelt row than the unsheltered plots viz: 33.9% for egg plant, 32.7% for kidney bean, 21.8% for potato, 29.4% for snake melon and 5.4% for sweet pepper. This indicates the importance of using shelter belts in desert cultivation. The second study was done in three shelterbelts: Wad Kilian, Altragma Algaba and Abdotab. In each locality, the average shelterbelt heights were measured to fix the distance between the belt and sampling points viz: 5×shelter belt height ,10 × shelter belt height, 15× shelter belt height, 20× shelter belt height and 30× shelter belt height. Distances in front of the belt were 2.5 × height, 5 × height, and 10 × height. In addition, one soil sample was taken from inside the belt. Soil temperature was taken from inside the belt. Soil temperature was measured in situ with a thermometer. Soil samples were taken at 50 cm depth in polyethylene bags to measure soil moisture content in the laboratory. Sand dune accumulation was reduced in the vicinity of the belts. It is recommended that shelter belts and wind breaks be established in arid and semi-arid zones to protect against land degradation and desertification.