ABSTRACT This study examines the impact of pure and mixed (agroforestry) production systems on the growth, yield, and soil characteristics of avocado and citrus trees in Hunde Dhaba kebele, Habro district, Ethiopia. Conducted from June 2019 to June 2024, it employed a replicated block design with pure stands (control) and Plantation Crop Combination Agroforestry Practice (PCCAP) as treatments. Each plot contained nine fruit tree seedlings, replicated across three homesteads. PCCAP integrated coffee alongside fruit trees. Tree growth was monitored biannually by measuring height and diameter at breast height. Soil samples, collected after four years at depths of 0–20 cm, 20–40 cm, and 40–60 cm, were analyzed for pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and cation exchange capacity. Annual agronomic data included crop yields. After 42 months (avocado) and 36 months (citrus), tree growth in PCCAP plots exceeded pure stands, likely due to reduced sunlight competition. Pure stands yielded higher individual fruit production, but PCCAP achieved a 77.8% greater land equivalent ratio. Soil properties showed no significant differences. Despite lower individual fruit yields, PCCAP enhanced overall farm productivity and diversity, supporting its potential as a sustainable agricultural practice in the region.
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