Homegarden Agroforestry Practices Research Articles

Investigation of Woody Species Composition, Diversity, and Carbon Stock under Agroforestry Practices in Oromia National Region State, Central Ethiopia

Agroforestry is a common practice in the tropics that is characterized by various activities such as parkland on cultivated lands or home garden agroforestry around homesteads. In Ethiopia, agroforestry is an ancient land use type that is practiced by smallholder farmers. Scattered trees in cropland or parkland trees and home garden trees are old agroforestry practices, and the most dominant practices exist in different parts of Ethiopia. They cover large areas of highland, midland, and lowland agroecologies of Liban Jawi District in West Showa of Oromia National Regional State, Central Ethiopia. However, woody species particularly in parklands are declining in many agricultural landscapes due to the overuses for fuel wood, charcoal production, and expansion of agricultural lands due to the degradation of nearby forests. In the study sites, comprehensive studies in terms of their composition, diversity, structure, and carbon stocks are still not well explored. In this context, we assessed woody species composition and diversity, structure, and carbon stocks because parkland and home garden agroforestry practices in three agroecologies of highland, midland, and lowlands in the district were not quantified. About 45 parkland woody species were collected from 150 plots of 5000 m2, and 35 home garden woody species were collected from 70 plots of 400 m2. As a result, a total of 80 species belonging to 52 families and 62 genera were collected from parkland and home garden agroforestry practices. Woody species diversity was analyzed using species richness, Shannon diversity index, and Shannon evenness index. In this study, the Shannon diversity (2.8) and Shannon evenness indexes (0.54) of woody species were computed in parkland agroforestry, in the meantime the Shannon diversity index (3.30) and Shannon evenness index (0.52) for woody species of the home garden were computed. The distribution of diameter classes of 10–30 cm had the highest number of trees and shrubs followed by 31–60 cm diameter classes. However, the highest number of trees and shrubs were in 61–90 cm diameter class in the home garden. In this study, woody species, such as Citrus sinensis, Mangifera indica, Persea americana, Sesbania sesban, Vernonia amygdalina, and Azadirachta indica were the dominant species under the two agroforestry practices. The values of carbon stack for highland, midland, and lowland in parkland agroforestry were 19.8 MgCha−1, 17.6 MgCha−1, and 17.5 MgCha−1, respectively. Meanwhile, the total biomass of woody species in highland, midland, and lowland for homestead agroforestry was 32.6 MgCha−1, 34.7 MgCha−1, and 31.2 MgCha−1, respectively. These resulted in carbon dioxide sequestered of 72.59 CO2 equivalents (tha−1), 64.52 CO2 equivalents (tha−1), and 64.16 CO2 equivalents (tha−1) in highland, midland, and lowland woody species, respectively. This study holds significant inputs for policymakers, regional administrators, environmentalists, and natural resource experts by informing the farmers’ management and conservation of woody species on cultivated lands and home garden agroforestry plants around their homesteads which is serving as ecosystem services and climate mitigation response within Liban Jawi district. Under parkland and homestead agroforestry practices, communities should have know-how to predict the environmental consequences of the destruction of woody species on their farmlands.

Assessment of Homegarden Agroforestry Practices: Case Study of Horticultural Crop Production Trends, and Contribution towards Biodiversity Conservation and Local Livelihoods

Homegarden (HG) in southwestern Ethiopia is a well-known practice that plays an important role not only in socioeconomic aspects, but also in biodiversity conservation. However, increased human population in line with the scarcity of land for food production and expansion of cash crops in the area have put pressure on the component diversity of which horticultural crops are the major. The aim of this study was to examine the trends of horticultural crop production based on local's point of view and measures of plant diversity by using multistage sampling from a total of 133 households and 15 key informants using a semi-structured questionnaire with 9 FGD discussions. Descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression, and diversity index measures were used for data analysis and interpretation. Results showed that socioeconomic variables had a significant impact on farmers' perceptions of horticultural crop production trends (explaining 58% of the variance). Most of the respondents agreed that the little progress towards horticultural production was related to market efficiency. The study also revealed a total of 79 plant species, grouped in the order of herbs (42%), trees (28%), shrubs (24%), and vines (6%). The diversity index indicated that the plant species present in HG of the study area had moderately high diversity and species richness. Keywords: Homegarden Agroforestry, production trends, Biosphere Reserve, Biodiversity DOI: 10.7176/JEES/13-3-01 Publication date: April 30 th 2023

Review on Homegarden Agroforestry and Its Contribution in Ethiopia

Agroforestry is an ancient practice and also the farmers are too much familiarized with it in Ethiopia. It contributes incredible benefits via socio-economic and environment. The main idea of this paper is to review Homegarden agroforestry practice and its contribution on woody species biodiversity conservation and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. The literature concludes that the high species diversity, multi-strata structures and complexity of structure are found in homegarden agroforestry. The presence diverse woody species of homegardens that serve different to fulfill a diversity of social, economic, cultural need, while providing a number of ecosystem services / environmental services (reduce soil erosion, increase soil moisture and fertility, coffee shade, and keep micro climate balance) and play a great role of biodiversity conservation. These could contribute to the sustainability of agricultural system. Homegarden agroforestry practice is highly recommended and acceptable than mono-cropping consequently it provides a socio-economic benefits like tree products (Timber, firewood, construction materials and fruit for food) and income. As result farmers were accounted it as a mainstay for maximizing their land productive capacity then improve the smallholder’s livelihoods. Therefore, the government should encourage Home garden agroforestry practice for improving the livelihoods of farmer and smoothly to tolerate the variable of climate change.

ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING AGROFORESTRY PRACTICES IN WEST HARARGHE ZONE OF OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA

A study was conducted in west Hararghe zone, on three districts, in six peasant associations with the intention to identify and assess potentials, constraints, opportunities and farmers’ perception on the existing agro-forestry practices of the study areas. The study was multistage sampling methods in which 121 households were selected using random sampling technique. Qualitative data generated by conducting household survey interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interview, and direct field observations in order to fit intention of the study. The collected Data was manipulated using suitable analytical software packages (SPSS, V.20) to calculate percentage and frequency of events through descriptive statistics. Based on the respondents idea across the districts, an average value of home garden agroforestry practices with 86% increasing and 11.5% decreasing and 2.5% no change trends were observed; while alley cropping of agroforestry practice during the past ten years ago with 89.3% increasing and 10.7% decreasing trend was observed (Table 4). Almost all in both Hararghe zones; alley cropping system is the most familiar than other existing agroforestry practices. For instance; an average value across the districts, Kchat plantation in alley cropping practice during the past ten years ago with 97.5% increasing and 2.5% decreasing trend was recorded (Table 4). In the result, the three top and the highest percentage observation of woody species have been retaining and planting in farmland across districts with the specific uses were Catha Edulis with (64.2%), Coffea with (49.9%) and Cordia Africana with (36.7%) could be observed (Table 2). The three top constraints of agroforestry practices were shortage of farm land with (43.8%), lack of understanding with (24.8%) and nutrient competition with (20.7%) observed. Basically, agroforestry practices needs optimum farm land size with related extent in order to compensate the observed constraints. On the contrary, the three top opportunities of agroforestry practices were Multipurpose Utilities with (26.1%), provision of shading with (14.3%) and Climate Balance with (6.7%) observed .It was also found that multipurpose trees shrubs play various traditional roles to local community. Generally; retention and planting of trees/shrubs in farm lands are used for fuel, construction, food, medicine, folder, and aesthetic value, shading values, windbreak, soil conservation and soil fertility improvement, bee forage and other uses in advance.

Role of Homegarden Agroforestry Practice in Climate Change Adaptation in Aleta Chuko Woreda, Sidama Region, Southern Ethiopia

Indeed, the adverse effects of climate change are already evident in resource poor countries including Ethiopia. Southern Ethiopia is known with favorable environment for homegarden agroforestry (HGAF) Production practices. This study aimed at examining the role of HGAF practice in climate change adaptation in Aleta Chuko woreda, Southern Ethiopia. Multi-stage sampling procedures have used to select sample households. Data were collected from adopter and non-adopter categories of HGAF practice with similar socioeconomic background. A total of 141 households (68 adopters and 73 non- adopter) were involved in the household survey. The result revealed about 95% of the respondents observed the change in rainfall in the past three decades, whether decrease, late-onset or early cessation. While 87.3% of respondents perceived an increase in temperature. Farmers’ adaptation strategies to climate change in the area context were soil and water conservation, application of inorganic fertilizer, use of small-scale irrigation and improved crop type were the tactical responses to climate change adaptation in the two adoption categories. It revealed that adoption of HGAF practice exhibit significance difference in terms of adaptation of climate change and sustaining of food security among the two adoption categories. From the result of analysis, access to credit and extension service, educational status, family size and membership of cooperative group shows statistically significant association in adoption of HGAF practices. The study concludes that policies that prioritize interventions to maximize the opportunities for climate change adaptation through HGAF system should been established in the context of the area.

English

Home gardens aid to improve food availability, ecology, job opportunities, social conditions for outstanding production, contributing to the conservation of diversity and maintenance of plant genetic resources and ecosystem. The objective of this review is to know about the major crops, vegetables, fruits, medicinal plants, and cash plants materials and women's participation in home garden agroforestry practices in Bangladesh. The various species of home gardens are nutritionally and economically valued as they fulfill a demand. Women are more engaged than men in home garden activities. Common vegetables, fruits contain significant amounts of protein, sugars, salts, calcium, iron, vitamins, minerals, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, potassium, calcium, zinc, magnesium, and iron. The common medicinal plants are using plant parts such as fruit, leaf, bark as treatment of dysentery, cough, fever, and other diseases. The flower plants improve beautification in the home and also contain the aesthetic value. The profit plant helped in the economic sector. The responsible bodies should undertake positive actions like promoting specific study plans in the home garden to ensure biological balance to improve the capacity of women communities to manage and maintain home garden diversity.

Effect of homegarden and parkland agroforestry practices in Ethiopia on selected soil properties

Ethiopian agricultural lands are fragile due to inherent unfavourable soil properties, over-exploitation, mismanagement (deforestation, over-grazing and inappropriate land use systems) and harsh weather conditions. These factors are worsened by changing climatic conditions, leading to significant problems in terms of soil erosion and loss of soil fertility. The consequences of such processes can be detected at the economic (agricultural production is currently being jeopardized)and biological (risks of biodiversity loss and habitat fragmentation)levels. However, the use of tree/shrub species in various agroforestry practices can increase soil nutrient supply through nitrogen fixation, improve soil structure, reduce soil erosion and nutrient losses. A study was carried out in the Amhara region, Ethiopia to evaluate the effect of home garden and parkland agroforestry practices on selected soil chemical properties. Soil samples were taken from 20x20m square plots established in home garden agroforestry and adjacent agricultural land without trees (control). In parkland agroforestry practice, two dominant tree species in each of the five villages were chosen. Soil samples were taken from the tree at the midpoint of the canopy projection, at 0-15 and 15-30 cm depths. The collected soil samples were air-dried, homogenized and passed through a 2 mm sieve for subsequent soil chemical analysis. The results indicated that all soil chemical properties except total nitrogen were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected by the agroforestry practices.Higher soil organic carbon, organic matter, available phosphorus,and exchangeablepotassium were found in the home garden agroforestry practice, while the lowest values were recorded in without-tree fields (control). All soil chemical properties except soil pH decreased as the soil depth increased. Higher value of organic carbon, available phosphorus, and exchangeable potassium were found in the home garden agroforestry likely because of a higher proportion of deep-rooted tree/shrub species and species belonging to the legume functional group. Therefore, the home garden agroforestry practice can be used as an ecologically friendly and sustainable alternative to maintaining soil fertility.

Effect of land-use practices on species diversity and selected soil property in Somodo Watershed South-Western Ethiopia.

This study was conducted in Somodo Watershed to investigate the land-use practices and its effect on species diversity and selected soil properties. Field observation was carried out to identify existing land-use practices following a transect line. A total of 20 plots (10 × 10) m2 were sampled from plots exhibiting different land-use practices found in the watershed in order to evaluate species richness and diversity. Soil samples were also collected from each plot. The soil samples were analyzed following standard laboratory procedures. The result of the analysis showed that there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in species diversity and richness among different land-use practices. Coffea arabica was dominant in homestead gardens and natural forests while Grevillea robusta showed had maximum richness in plantations and farm forests in the Watershed. Furthermore, home garden agroforestry practice was significantly (p<0.05) affected soil pH compared to other land-use systems (cultivated land, natural forest, and plantation forest. While Organic carbon (OC), Total nitrogen (TN), and Carbon to Nitrogen ratio (C: N) did not show significance difference among land-use systems in the watershed. The study has concluded that different land-use practices had a positive impact on sustaining species diversity, richness, and improve soil properties. Therefore, the study suggests that improving and expanding home garden agroforestry practices in the area are indispensable for environmental protection and soil fertility enhancement.

Ecological and Socio Economic Potential of Agroforestry: A Demonstration of Multi-story Agroforestry Practice in North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region

The homestead multistory agroforestry demonstration was conducted at Tarmaber district of North Shewa zone to demonstrate and evaluate model multistory agroforestry practice for its ecological and economic importance for the rural communities of the area. The demonstration in addition aimed to further enhance farmers' knowledge on this new cultivation method before any further adoption. The demonstration study was started in June 2013 as multistory agroforestry practices and established with special and temporal arrangements with three strata. The upper stratum comprised tree components, middle stratum was fruits and the lower stratum was different annual crops. The total area of a demonstration site was 0.045ha. Persea americana, Rhamnus prinoides, Coffea arabica, Musa paradisiaca, Phaseolus lunatus, Hibisicus sabdariffa and Vigna unguiculata were planted at different time of the lifetime of the study and yield data were collected. The results from this demonstration study showed that, on average 1507 kg of edible NTFPs harvested per hectare per year. Organic matter and available phosphorus were increased from 1.52 to 2.14%, and 4.26 to 15.98 ppm, respectively. In addition, this practice showed higher net present value (NPV) and benefit-cost ratio (B/C) than the two crop land 3537.36 US$ and 3.3 per ha from these different components. From this study it can be concluded that multistory agroforestry may be ecologically advantageous land use system for sustainable food, biomass production and economic return comparing with conventional agricultural practices. Therefore, future agricultural extension adoption should consider this homegarden agro-forestry practice for sustainable agricultural production and productivity especially in North Shewa areas where this practice is not well known.

Carbon stock and woody species diversity in homegarden agroforestry along an elevation gradient in southern Ethiopia

Agroforestry practices that integrate trees into farming are known to enhance carbon sequestration and plant species diversity in agricultural landscapes. Their contribution however, varies depending on a number of factors including elevation gradients. In this study, we quantified the carbon (C) stock and woody species diversity in tree-ensete dominated homegarden agroforestry practice along an elevation gradient in Hawassa Zuria District, southern Ethiopia. The elevation was stratified into upper, middle and lower gradient and two hamlets were randomly selected from each elevation category. Data on number, diameter and height of woody species were collected from 42 sample home gardens. Soil samples were also taken at 0–60 cm soil depth from each sample home garden for soil organic carbon (SOC) determination. A total of 49 woody species belonging to 31 families were recorded. The diversity differed significantly (p < 0.05) along the elevation categories. The mean total biomass and soil carbon stocks were significantly (p = 0.001) higher in the upper elevation category (156.17 ± 13.78 Mg ha−1), followed by middle (128.66 ± 7.16 Mg ha−1) and lower (91.75 ± 4.31 Mg ha−1) elevation categories. The corresponding SOC accounted for 68%, 76% and 78%. Correlation between woody species diversity and C stock was not significant (r = − 0.16). The tree-ensete dominated home garden agroforestry practices can play an important role in climate change mitigation and conservation of woody species diversity. The carbon accumulation potential of agroforestry systems vary along elevation gradients, but not necessary due to differences in woody species diversity.

Review on Role of Home Garden Agroforestry Practices to Improve Livelihood of Small Scale Farmers and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

Agroforestry is one of the most conspicuous land use systems across landscapes and agro ecological zones in Africa. Some of the components of Agroforestry systems are; home garden agroforestry, alley cropping, forest farming, wind break, river banks, park land, crop land trees and buffer zones agroforestry practices. Climate change impacts by complex weather-related phenomena have threatened agricultural and forest ecosystems and the livelihood of agricultural and local communities. Agroforestry has an important role in climate change adaptation through diversified land-use practices, sustainable livelihoods, sources of income, enhanced forest and agricultural productivity and reduced weather-related production losses, which enhance resilience against climate impacts. Like few other land use options, agroforestry has real potential to contribute to food security, climate change mitigation and adaptation, while preserving and strengthening the environmental resource base of Africa’s rural landscapes. It has a key role to play in landscape-scale mitigation schemes under the REDD+or AFOLU (Agriculture, Forestry and other land uses) concepts. Home garden agroforestry system indicates that adaptation and mitigation to climate change will largely depend on the increased resilience of both agroforestry systems and of local management capacity. Despite less attention has been given to tree based land use option, agroforestry has played a major role in reducing household vulnerability to shocking. Smallholder farmers have already started mainstreaming tree based land use system as resilience to social needs because the poor are more exposed to change; Agroforestry is one of best risk aversion option to make them move out of food insecurity. Generally, agroforestry systems readily bundle both mitigation and adaptation strategies and provide several pathways to securing food security for poor farmers, while contributing to climate change mitigation. Agroforestry should attract more attention in global agendas on climate adaptation and mitigation because of its positive social and environmental impacts.

Farmers Local Knowledge on Niche Selection, Management Strategies and Uses of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Cordia africana&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Tree in Agroforestry Practices of Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia

In Ethiopia Cordia africana is one of the indigenous multipurpose tree species which is being endangered and suffering a lot from overexploitation. Agroforestry is taken as potential ecosystem for counteracting indigenous multipurpose trees species extinction through providing complementary habitat for such species. In Sidama zone of south Ethiopia, farmers deliberately integrate and manage C. africana tree by using their own indigenous knowledge for both its productive and protective functions. However, comprehensive study has not been undertaken to assess and document the local knowledge associated with C. africana tree. Thus, study was designed to assess local knowledge of farmers on niche selection, management practices and uses of C. africana tree in agroforestry practices of Sidama zone. To do so household survey, key informants’ interview and focus group discussions were undertaken to generate the necessary data. A total of 126 sample respondents were randomly selected based on wealth category. In addition to this, about 72 sample households were considered for tree inventory purpose. The inventory was done in the niches of Coffee-Enset tree based, Coffee tree based and Enset-tree based homegarden agroforestry practice. Data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Results obtained from the study show that, mean number of stems of tree is found to be significantly higher (p<0.05) in Enset- tree based niche of homegarden agroforestry followed by Coffee-tree based niche. The finding also shows that mean basal area of tree in Enset-tree based niche was significantly (p<0.05) higher of the remaining niches of agroforestry practices over both the midland and lowland agroecological zones. The commonly management practices employed for C. africana by the local farmers were branch pruning (80.6% and 73.2%), coppicing (32.2% and 42.8%) and pollarding (33.8% and 19.6%) in midland and lowland agroecology, respectively. Farmers also have profound knowledge on uses of C. africana tree. From the reported uses; timber production, soil improvement, household utensils, shade and cash generation are the major ones as these could be also vary over age, size and parts of the species to be used. Finally, the study has suggested that, for a conclusive recommendation the effect of C. africana tree on coffee-Enset yield and yield component needs to be further investigated.

Opportunities and challenges of adopting home garden agroforestry practices in Ethiopia: A review

Home gardens enable farmers to secure their food availability, mitigate environmental change, increase consistency of social-cultural values and protect species provenance. On the other hands, they...

Comparative Assessment of Soil Organic Carbon Stock Potential under Agroforestry Practices and Other Land Uses in Lowlands of Bale

Soil organic carbon is the carbon associated with soil organic matter that is made up of decomposed plant and animal materials. This study was conducted in Dallo Mena district to estimate the amount of soil carbon stock stored in shade grown coffee (SC) and homegarden agroforestry practices (HG), and adjacent natural forest (NF) and annual crop field (CF) and to show the potential of agroforestry practices in soil organic carbon storage capacity. The study site was selected based on spatial analogue approach. From each land uses nine plots were selected by using systematic sampling method following the transect line. Soil organic carbon stock (100cm depth) were the highest for the NF(170.11 ± 14.59 Mg ha-1), followed by SC(127.96 ± 9.43 Mg ha-1), HG(107.62 ± 12.55 Mg ha-1) and CF(97.56 ± 6.85 Mg ha-1). Agroforestry and other land uses of Dallo Mena districts are providing various ecological as well as economical benefits for the community. It is used as income source, conserving different plant species diversity and at the same time storing large amounts of soil organic carbon. Therefore, there is significant difference among natural forest, shade grown coffee agroforestry practice, homegarden agroforestry practice and annual crop field in soil organic carbon storage capacity.International Journal of EnvironmentVolume-6, Issue-3, Jun-Aug 2017, page: 1-14

Diversity and abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under different plant and soil properties in Sidama, southern Ethiopia

In Sidama, agroforestry represents land-use systems with deliberate management of multipurpose trees and shrubs that grow in intimate association with annual and perennial agricultural crops and/or livestock. The interaction of microbiota with the trees, shrubs and crops may make the system fertile, productive and sustainable. One of the beneficial microbiota which has symbiotic association with most of the plants in agroforestry is arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). In November and December of 2012, root and rhizosphere soil samples of 21 plant species from nine peasant associations (PAs) (villages within districts where 300–500 families live) were collected from the agroforestry practices in Sidama of Southern Ethiopia for the determination of diversity and abundance of AMF under selected soil parameters and plant species density. Findings on the diversity of AMF based on soil properties showed that at moderate to low P and N concentrations the rate of AMF root colonization and spore density was high in comparison with the rhizosphere soils with the highest P and N concentration. The highest percentage of total AMF colonization was recorded for shade trees Millettia ferruginea (84 %) and Erythrina brucei (80 %) followed by intercropped perennial crops Ensete ventricosum (86 %), Catha edulis (85 %) and Coffea arabica (80 %) and the lowest percentage AMF colonization was recorded for Rhamnus prinoides (53 %) and Colocasia esculenta (52 %). Though found in almost all homegarden agroforestry practices and with broad coverage in Sidama agroforestry, some crops and vegetables such Brassica integrifolia and Cucurbita pepo, grown intercropped were found to be non-mycorrhizal as none of the AMF structures were recorded. The highest number of AM spore population was recorded in rhizosphere soils of Croton macrostachyus (1066 ± 19.33) and Catha edulis (1054 ± 53.12) and the lowest spore density was recorded for Dioscorea alata (100.00 ± 2.89) spore per 100 g of dry soil. The percentage fungal colonization in any individual plant species and spore population in the rhizosphere soils of that species did not correlate to each other and percentage AM root colonization and spore density of all plants in the agroforestry of Sidama were found significantly different at P < 0.05 level.

English

In Sidama, agroforestry represents land-use systems with deliberate management of multipurpose trees and shrubs that grow in intimate association with annual and perennial agricultural crops and/or livestock. The interaction of microbiota with the trees, shrubs and crops make the system fertile, productive and sustainable. One of the beneficial microbiota which has symbiotic association with most of the plants in agroforestry is arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). In November and December of 2012, root and rhizosphere soil samples of 21 plant species from nine peasant associations (PAs) (villages within districts where 300 to 500 families live) were collected from the agroforestry practices in Sidama of Southern Ethiopia for the determination of diversity of AMF based on selected soil parameters and plant species density. Findings on the diversity of AMF based on soil properties showed that at moderate to low P and N concentrations the rate of root colonization and spore density was high in comparison with the rhizosphere soils with the highest P and N concentration. The highest percentage of total colonization was recorded for shade trees Millettia ferruginea (84%) and Erythrina brucei (80%) followed by intercropped perennial crops Ensete ventricosum (86%), Catha edulis (85%) and Coffea arabica (80%) and the lowest percentage colonization was recorded for Rhamnus prinoides (53%) and Colocasia esculenta (52%). Though found in almost all homegarden agroforestry practices and with broad coverage in Sidama agroforestry, some crops and vegetables such Brassica integrifolia and Cucurbita pepo, grown intercropped were found to be non-mycorrrhizal as none of the AMF structures were recorded. The highest number of AM spore population was recorded in rhizosphere soils of Croton macrostachyus (1066±19.33) and Catha edulis (1054±53.12) and the lowest spore density was recorded for Dioscorea alata (100.00±2.89) spore per 100 g of dry soil. The percentage fungal colonization in any individual plant species and spore population in the rhizosphere soils of that species did not correlate to each other and percentage root colonization and spore density of all plants in the agroforestry of Sidama were found significantly different at P<0.05 level. Key words: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), dependency, rhizosphere, parameters, colonization, density.

Woody Species Diversity and Structure of Agroforestry and Adjacent Land Uses in Dallo Mena District, South-East Ethiopia

Sustainable farming practice that utilizes and conserves biodiversity, reducing negative impacts of agriculture on biodiversity and provides wood and energy to local community is a good solution to reduce deforestation and forest degradation. This study was carried out in Dallo Mena district of Bale zone to identify woody species diversity in homegarden agroforestry practices, shade grown coffee agroforestry practices and adjacent natural forest, and to show how land use and management practice determine the plant species diversity. The study site was selected based on spatial analogue approach. In each land use, a plots of 10 m × 10 m size was drown by using systematic sampling method following the transect line. A total of 36 sample plots were sampled along the transect line laid down inside each land uses. In each plot, woody species were counted and the diameter and height of trees and shrubs were measured. Based on this inventory a total of 39 woody plant species which are about 23, 10, 15 woody plant species were recorded from natural forest, shade grown coffee agroforestry and homegarden agroforestry practices respectively. These species were classified belonging to 24 families. The Shannon Wiener diversity index used to estimate species diversity ranged from 0.14 to 2.54 with a mean of 1.47. Also 21% woody species similarities were observed between those three land uses. The result shows that both agroforestry practices (shade grown coffee and home garden agroforestry practices) and adjacent natural forests are conserving several woody species diversity in its system.

Diversity and Abundance of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Under Different Plant and Soil Properties in Sidama, Southern Ethiopia

In Sidama, agroforestry represents land-use systems with deliberate management of multipurpose trees and shrubs that grow in intimate association with annual and perennial agricultural crops and/or livestock. The interaction of microbiota with the trees, shrubs and crops make the system fertile, productive and sustainable. One of the beneficial microbiota which has symbiotic association with most of the plants in agroforestry is arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). In November and December of 2012, root and rhizosphere soil samples of 21 plant species from nine peasant associations (PAs)(villages within districts where 300-500 families live) were collected from the agroforestry practices in Sidama of Southern Ethiopia for the determination of diversity and abundance of AMF under selected soil parameters and plant species density. Findings on the diversity of AMF based on soil properties showed that at moderate to low P and N concentrations the rate of AMF root colonization and spore density was high in comparison with the rhizosphere soils with the highest P and N concentration. The highest percentage of total AMF colonization was recorded for shade trees Millettia ferruginea (84%) and Erythrina brucei (80%) followed by intercropped perennial crops Ensete ventricosum (86%), Catha edulis (85%) and Coffea arabica (80%) and the lowest percentage AMF colonization was recorded for Rhamnus prinoides (53%) and Colocasia esculenta (52%). Though found in almost all homegarden agroforestry practices and with broad coverage in Sidama agroforestry, some crops and vegetables such Brassica integrifolia and Cucurbita pepo, grown intercropped were found to be non-mycorrrhizal as none of the AMF structures were recorded. The highest number of AM spore population was recorded in rhizosphere soils of Croton macrostachyus (1066±19.33) and Catha edulis (1054±53.12) and the lowest spore density was recorded for Dioscorea alata (100.00±2.89) spore per 100 g of dry soil. The percentage fungal colonization in any individual plant species and spore population in the rhizosphere soils of that species did not correlate to each other and percentage AM root colonization and spore density of all plants in the agroforestry of Sidama were found significantly different at P<0.05 level.

Agro-ecosystem and socio-economic role of homegarden agroforestry in Jabithenan District, North-Western Ethiopia: implication for climate change adaptation.

Homegarden agroforestry is believed to be more diverse and provide multiple services for household than other monocropping system and this is due to the combination of crops, trees and livestock. The aim of this study was to assess socio-economic and agro-ecological role of homegardens in Jabithenan district, North-western Ethiopia. Two sites purposively and two villages randomly from each site were selected. Totally 96 households; in which 48 from homegarden agroforestry user and 48 from non-tree based garden user were selected for this study. Socio-economic data and potential economic and agro-ecosystem role of homegarden agroforestry over non-tree based garden were collected by using semi-structured and structured questionnaires to the households. Homegarden agroforestry significantly (P < 0.05) improved the farmers cash income than non-tree based garden. With insignificant garden size; homegarden agroforestry practice provides good socio-economical and agro-ecological service for farmers which have a higher implication for climate change adaptation than non-tree based garden.

Agroforestry practices and flora composition in backyards in Hiwane, Hintalo Wejerat of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Backyard (home garden) agroforestry practice is most popular in the northern part of the country. This backyard agroforestry is practiced as a mixture of crops (vegetables, herbs) and trees (fruits and fodder trees) to provide diversified products to the cultivators. This study found over 40 species of plants maintained in home garden of the study area. Furthermore, agroforestry practice in backyard has a crucial role in the improvement of livelihoods to small scale farmers in the study area through direct subsistence production, indirect subsistence production (such as foods, fuel wood, fodder and shade to the cultivators) and income generation. Furthermore, it has helped to conserve many species of plants in a small areas with providing diversify needs to the farmers. However, we found that availability of water has significantly affected the home garden plant species diversity (t-test, n = 13, p < 0.05). Additionally, there is a high correlation between the diversity of vegetables (leafy, fruit and root and tuber crops, spice and herbs in combination) kept in backyards and availability of water (Number of plant species = 6.11767 (± 0.14790) -0.27023 (± 0.01349) distance from the river r2 = 0.9733, F1, 11 = 401.1 (P < 0.001) planting trees provide rural households with wood products for own consumption as well for sale and play role in decreasing soil degradation. Furthermore, our findings also suggest that households consider a number of attributes in making decision to backyard agroforestry practice. These results can be used by policy makers to promote home garden agroforestry practice in the study area by creating conducive water supply and considering households’ backyard size and roofing system. Key words: Agroforestry, home garden, backyard, Ethiopia, Tigray.