Abstract

Reduction in mean wind speed from L6 m/s to 1.1 m/s produced a mean increase of 56% in the yield of the strawberry Cambridge Favourite over a 3-year cropping period. Variation in response from year to year was appreciable and appeared to be linked to the wind conditions in the previous growing season.
Extensive bruising of leaves in exposed plots was recorded, and this appeared to be a more likely reason for growth depression than indirect effects of exposure by altering plant temperature or soil water balance. Earliness of cropping was virtually unaffected by reduction in wind speed.
Shelter improved not only the total yield but also the regularity of yield from year to year. The exposed plots showed yield variation from 9.8 to 15.8 t/ha compared with 16.6 to 19.1 t/ha in the sheltered plots.