Damage Caused by Wind-Borne Salts to Landscape Plants and its Prevention by a Wind-Controlled Sprinkler System

Abstract

Ocean spray carried by wind was shown to be the main cause of leaf scorching of vegetation along the Mediterranean coast of Israel. An overhead sprinkling system was designed to be activated when wind velocity reached a critical level. It was shown to reduce leaf scorching. The degree of protection depended on plant species. Plants showed different degrees of sensitivity to wind-borne salts in the following increasing order: Japanese Pittosporum (Pittosporum tubira Ait.), Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus pungens Thunb.), Common Oleander (Nerium oleander L.), Tamarisk, Athel (Tamarix aphylla Karst.).