Wind damage on citrus fruit study: Wind tunnel tests

The interaction between citrus trees and wind was studied in a wind tunnel. Wind flows at mean velocities between 1 m/s and 3 m/s were simulated, as well as with different energy content at turbulence small-scale. The wind modeling methodologies applied to do so are presented. At a mean velocity, if the turbulence small-scales' energy is high, the consequent leaves' displacement is greater than when the former is low, decreasing the contact time between the leaf and the fruit. Nevertheless, the rest of the tree components do not present significant differences in their responses. This led us to infer that the greater energy at turbulence small-scales could be correlated with a lower period of time a leaf rubs against an adjacent fruit. Therefore, leaves' mechanical action and the consequent damage could be reduced increasing the turbulence small-scale energy content.

► Typical wind flow conditions inside citrus orchards were simulated in a wind tunnel.
► Theoretical model of a tree response under wind action was studied.
► Petiole's movement is greater for high small-scale energy flows.
► By increasing the TKE content at small-scale, wind damage could be reduced.