Influence of Scattered Cordiaafricana and Crotonmacrostachyus Trees on Selected Soil Properties, Microclimate and Maize Yield in Eastern Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the impact of scattered trees in farmland on selected soil physicochemical properties, microclimates, and maize grain yieldin Oda Bultum district, Eastern Oromia, Ethiopia. For the experiment of soil physicochemical properties, three factors: distance from tree trunk with four levels (at 0.5m of crown, mid of crown, edge of crown radius and open field), soil depth with two levels (0-15cm and 15–30cm depth) and tree species with two levels with factorial arrangement in RCBD replicated four times were employed. For microclimates and maize yield only two factors; distance from tree trunk with two levels(at mid crown & open field) for microclimates and distance with four levels(at 0.5m of crown, mid of crown, edge of crown radius and open field) for maize yield and tree species (Cordiaafricana and Croton macrostachyus) with two levels in RCBD replicated four times were used. The result revealed soil texture was not influenced significantly (P>0.05) by tree species. Soil bulk density was significantly (p 0.05) influenced by both tree species. Relative illumination, air temperature, soil temperature were significantly (p<0.05) higher at open field than canopy zone while soil moisture was significantly (p<0.05) higher under canopy of trees than open field. Though not significant, maize yield was slightly higher at open field than canopy zone. It can be concluded that these tree species have the potential to improve soil fertility and moisture beneath its canopy. Thus, integration of these trees on farmlands might require proper tree crown management to increase relative illumination under the canopy and increase grain yield of maize.