Eucalyptus camaldulensis Woodlot Influences Soil Properties and Teff Yield on the Adjacent Croplands in Guraghe Zone, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

In Ethiopia five Eucalyptus species were adopt wide area and Eucalyptus camaldulensisi more dominant in low land and middle land area and economically very important. This leads to farmers converted portion of their farmland to Eucalyptus camaldulensis woodlots. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of E. camaldulensis woodlot on the soil properties and teff (Erogrsticteff) yields on an adjacent cropland. A plot of 2m x 1.5m area was laid down inside plantation (assumed zero m), at one, three, six, nine and20 m distances away from the E. camaldulensis woodlot in to the adjacent cropland. This was replicated on three farmlands. Teff was grown on the plots and the yield, height, and biomass of teff were measured and thirty six soil samples were collected from experimental field. The soil bulk density (p<0.01), soil moisture (p<0.001), SOC (p < 0.05), avail P (p < 0.01) and avail K (p < 0.01) were significantly varied with distance. The yield and height of teff were significantly (p< 0.01) affected by distance from the woodlot. Moreover, mean soil total N at three meter, avail P from one meter to six meter, avail K after nine meter, yield and biomass of teff up to six meter were reduced. The yield reduction of teff could be attributed to the soil moisture and soil nutrient competition between the Eucalyptus woodlot and teff. In this study we had concluded that E. Camaldulensis wood lot has effect on teff production up to six- meter distance from the woodlot and adjacent crop were recommended after Six meter.