Small plots with unplanted plot border can distort data in biomass production studies

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Abstract
In small, dense and open-sided plantings of hybrid poplars (Populus), the edge effect extended through several rows, tree mortality increased and diameter at breast height, dry weight of individual trees, foliage weight and leaf area index decreased from the border row to the center rows. Edge trees next to unplanted border trees tend to spread outward, thus intercepting solar radiation from a larger area than the rat delineated by lower stems. When an oscillating irrigation system is used, the inner rows may receive only a fraction of the water border trees receive. This may be partly responsible for the extent of edge effect in this and similar studies. These irregularities could create serious problems in interpreting the results from small plantings. Some ways of reducing edge effect in production studies are proposed.

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