Interception of Diffuse and Direct-beam Radiation by a Hedgerow Apple Orchard

Abstract

A model for the interception of diffuse and direct-beam radiation by parallel rows of trees has been used to simulate the radiation transmission profiles for row transects in a hedgerow apple orchard. The simulated profiles are in close agreement with experimentally measured radiation transmission profiles for an apple orchard. The model has been used to predict average daily and seasonal variations in the proportions and amounts of the incident radiation absorbed by the orchard. The effects of row orientation and row spacing on the absorption of radiation by the orchard have also been examined.