Abstract

Studies were conducted to find out the possibility of using maize as shelterbelt for irrigated groundnut and effect of crop shelterbelt (Maize) on the canopy weather, yield and WUE of summer groundnut (TMV2) in alfisol. The results indicated that weather around groundnut canopy is con- siderably altered by the crop shelterbelt. Reduced wind velocity and evaporation coupled with higher relative humidity were recorded in sheltered crop resulting in lower daily water use rate and consumptive use of groundnut. Biomass and pod yields of groundnut were favoured by crop shelterbelt. Pod yield increase of 21 to 24 per cent and consumptive use reduction of 20 per cent was observed in the sheltered treatments compared to unsheltered ones. Water use efficiency was markedly increased by shelterbelt.

Keywords: Shelterbelt, Maize, Groundnut, Water use efficiency, Weather.