Shelterbelts were established in these regions with the object of conscrviflL.S..QiLmoisture by reducing evaporation from.

and wind erosion of, the light , friable soils and by controlling the distribution and later melting of snow in steppe and prai rie. B EL T S 0 F T R E Eswhich obstruct the flow of the wind reduce the velocjty of the air currents in the lower layers of the atmosphere and produce a sheltered zone in {he vicinity of the belts. A" local" orumicron climate obtains in this sheltered area, haVing characteristics different from those in unsheltered regions. Different structures of shclterbe1ts. in terms of width. height, composition by species and penetrability to the wind, have distinct effects on the character of the microclimc:1te, which is frequent ly referred to as the "c1imate near the ground" The nature ()'f[he microclimate can be assessed by measurement of the physical factors which it comprises, i.e. wind velocity. air tempemture and humidity . . "evaporation, .' lranspiration, ) snow lodgement, soil moisture and temperature. and a lso by biological means such as measurement of the yields of agricultural and horticultu ral crops grown in the sheltered area.

Plant growth analysis is considered to be a standard approach to study of plant growth and productivity (Wilson,1981). Growth and yield are functions of a large number of metabolic processes, which are affected by environmental and genetic factors. Studies of growth pattern and its understanding not only tell us how plant accumulates dry matter, but also reveals the events which can make a plant more or less productive singly or in population (Ahad, 1986). In a crop the growth parameters like optimum LAI