APPROPRIATENESS OF EUCALYPTUS CAMAL / DULENSIS, CASUARINA EQUISETIFOLIA AND OLEA EUROPAEA TREES IN SHELTERBELT OF AL-ASHRAF NAJAF CITY

Abstract

    The research has conducted on shelterbelt of Al-Ashraf Najaf city to explore suitability of four Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. Forms and two other tree species; Casuarina equisetifolia and Olea europaea to the local dominant sever conditions. Development in growth was studied through the interval of five years. Growth parameters included height, DBH stem diameter, main stem height, crown diameter, and stem girth were investigated. Distance from water supply was inspected, too. Results showed superiority of E. camaldulensis upon other species. Investigations showed weakness in growth of C. equisetifolia where most of trees could not resist because of their position in opposite to sandy wind stream that deposited sand on plants. So survival percentage was lower than that of the two other species. O. europaea trees did not show a rate of growth required for such purpose but it might be beneficial for an economic objectives through olive fruit production. Forms of E. camaldulensis revealed lesser relative differences in growth parameters than observed before five years. Form no. II possessed distinctive tree height and stem diameter, while form III gave smallest growth traits. Other form parameters did not different significantly. The most effective factor was the distance from water source where far trees (300 m) had smaller growth traits than those located at 200 m and 100 m distances, that’s might because inefficiency of the used drip irrigation system.