Abstract
This study was conducted at Meti Site of Haro Sabu Agricultural research center, Oromia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the adaptability and growth performance of different multipurpose trees/shrubs species and select or screen those best performed and adapted to the area. For this seedling of: Acacia senegal, Pinus patula, Callistemon citrinus, Olea africana and Spathodea nilotica were out planted on a plot of 14m*14m. The space between block of each species was 3m and Spacing between rows and within row was based on the recommendations of each species. In order to fit the given objectives growth parameter data of trees/shrubs (height, root collar diameter (only for trees< 1.3m in height), diameter at breast height (for trees ≥1.3m height) and survival rate) were collected by an interval of 6 months and Analyses of variance and LSD tests were employed to assess the results at p=0.05 using Minitab 17. As a result, the higher mean height growth was observed on Callistemon citrinus ( 2.59 m) , Spathoda nilotica ( 2.48 m) and Pinus patula ( 2.34 m). Again Gains in root collar diameter (RCD) was significantly highest on Pinus patula (37.75cm, 2.81cm) and Spathodea nilotica (32.08cm, 3.52cm).The Mean survivals of all trees grown at site were good ranging from 85.36% ( Pinus patula) to 100% ( Spathodea nilotica ( 100%). Generally this finding may help forest managers (stakeholder) to allocate species into the site that grow and adapt well. To select the most adaptable ones for such areas , use them at wider scale and increase their importance in the overall agricultural productivity (soil conservation, timber production, shading purpose, etc) and in general multifunction purposes in the area, further testing of provenances of the best performing species is recommended. Keywords: Growth performance, Meti, Relative growth rate in height (RGRH), Root collar diameter (RCD), Survival percentage. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/11-11-03 Publication date: November 30 th 2021
Highlights
Background and Justification WesternEthiopia, western Oromia is well known by vegetation cover and most of the surrounding area is covered by forests comprised of a rich mixture of woody species (Yadessa et al, 2000)
Growth parameter of Tree Species Survival Mean survivals percentage of tree species planted at the area was significantly higher on Spathoda nilotica (100%), Olea africana (98.41%), Acacia senegal (98.26%), and Callistemon citrinus (96.75%), while the lower was observed on Pinus patula (85.36%) (Figure1)
The lower mean survival percentage was observed on Pinus patula, the range of survival percentage of trees (85.36%-(100%) at the area was good indication to use them at wider scale and increase their importance in the overall agricultural productivity in general multifunction purposes in the area
Summary
Western Oromia is well known by vegetation cover and most of the surrounding area is covered by forests comprised of a rich mixture of woody species (Yadessa et al, 2000). Rapid deforestation caused by an escalating demand for fuel wood expansion for agriculture has brought an ever-increasing pressure on native woodland species (Mihretu et al, 2004). If no remedial action is taken, this will cause severe impact on agricultural productivity leading to energy poverty and environmental degradation. Biomass energy constitutes 88.7% of all energy consumed in Ethiopia which is mainly derived from the woody biomass resources (forests, woodlands, shrub lands, planted trees, agro forests). Agro forestry system has much potential for supplying poles, farm equipment, and fuel wood and agricultural improvements (Yadessa et al, 2000)
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