Agroforestry Research in the highland vertisols of Ethiopia
2001
Betre Alemu (Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center, Debre Zeit (Ethiopia)) | Kahsay Berhe | Kindu Mekonen
Results of surveys and on-farm research activities have showed that homestead planing, scattered trees on cropland, gully stabilization by planting trees and biomass transfer have been found to be less competitive and effective agroforestry systems. A farmers research group established at Chefe Donsa found that there was different in preference of tree species and their management among the member farmers from different social groups. Women preferred tree species, which can be primarily used for household purposes on the other hand, men preferred Eucalyptus globulus and Cupressus Iusitanica than the above ones, because of their potential to generate income. Almost all of the tree species had better growth performance in homesteads of women-headed households performance of Sesbania sesban accessions and Leucaena accession were evaluated in homeseholds Performance of Sesbania sesban accessions and Leucaena accession were evaluated in homesteads of Ginchi and Debre Zeit. Sesbania sesban (ILCA 15019) had, in general, a higher dry matter yield than ILCA 15036. At Debre Zeit, the total dry matter yield for the first harvest was relatively higher than the sum of two re-growth harvests. Sesbania accessions had a significantly higher growth in height, spread and stem diameter the evaluated Leucaena accessions. Soil fertility and crop yield have also been found to be higher under the canopy of scattered Acacia albida trees than outside. At Ginchi, the average depth of gullies was reduced from 72 and 65 cm to 11 and 13 cm due to seedlings and cutting materials of Erythrina brucei, respectively in one year's time. In addition, grain yield of wheat increased by 47% by applying 15 t ha-1 Sesbania pruning as compared with the application of recommended fertilizer rate.
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