Adaptability of Different Eucalyptus Species in Lasta-Lalibela District Northeastern Highland of Ethiopia

Abstract

The experiment was conducted in lasta woreda Lalibela Debreloza kebele. The main aim of the experiment was to give alternative Eucalyptus species for construction and fuel wood over already adapted and distributed Eucalyptus species to overcome problems of monoculture Eucalyptus cultivation. To do this, the experiment was laid in RCBD with three replications. The species are Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus saligna and Eucalyptus viminalis. The data was analyzed by ANOVA with SAS Vr.9.3 via growth performance of different species. The result revealed that, two species (Eucalyptus viminalis and Eucalyptus citriodora) had shown good performance in root collar diameter, height growth increment and survival rate. The Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus saligna had shown low performance. Both in root collar diameter and height Eucalyptus citriodora was recorded best height (4.03 m), root collar diameter (6 cm) and have good survival rate (47%) followed by Eucalyptus viminalis, with mean height of 3.8 m, mean RCD 6 cm and survival rate of 38.9%. Thus, Eucalyptus citriodora and Eucalyptus viminalis were survive and have better growth performance in highland parts of Lalibela and similar ecologies for fuel wood and construction material in addition to already exist Eucalyptus species. These species are the alternative energy source and they are environmentally compatible