Reducing the impact of extreme environmental factors on berry plantations

Climate extremes affect the vitality and health of the berry species. In some regions, if enough water is available, the impacts can be reduced. Long-lasting stress effect causes sunscald in case of leaves and berries. There are resistant and susceptible varieties of berry species. The disorder, likely caused by ultra-violet radiation, appears on susceptible varieties when the temperature suddenly increases (above about 30 °C), but the humidity is low. It can easily occur in the presence of wind.

Agroforestry systems offer a possible way to reduce direct sunlight by shading to sensitive agricultural crops. The humidity of the tree canopy can decrease the effect of hot dry air. Trees protect the berry species by slowing wind speed. This ongoing research focuses on how trees can influence the hydrological conditions.

We installed a research plot to study the spatial and temporal variability of soil moisture and groundwater level in an agroforestry system compared with agricultural field without trees (Fertőd, Hungary). The measurement is completed with local climatic parameters such as precipitation, air temperature, and relative humidity. The species of the measured plots are blackberry (Rubus fruticosus ‘Dirksen’), raspberry (Rubus idaeus ‘Fertődi zamatos’), and blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum ‘Otelo’) with integrated shadowing trees: hybrid poplar (Populus x euramericana).

Acknowledgements: The project was supported by EFOP-3.6.2-16-2017-00018 for the University of Sopron.