Adaptation and Growth Performance Evaluation of Agroforestry Tree Species in Babille District, East Hararghe Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Study was under taken on five agroforestry tree species: Moringa oliefera, Gravilea robusta, Azadarichta indica, Leuceana leucocephala and Cordia africana at Fedis Agricultural Research Center to evaluate their adaptability and growth performance. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with three replications. The growth parameters; diameter, plant height and survival rate were measured and recorded at interval of three months. Results revealed that there were selected agroforestry tree species had no problem on survival and adaptability at study area except some growth variation and the outcome had a significant value at (p<0.05) between treatment’s parameters. The variations among tree species in height growth, root collar diameter development, diameter at breast height and survival rate were highly significant (p<0.05) after four years of age. This could be due to environmental factor and/or genetic potential of the species, which generally govern the growth of a given species. Among the species tasted, Azadarichta indica showed the highest performance followed by Leuceana leucocephala, Moringa oliefera in terms of height growth, root collar diameter and diameter at breast height. Moringa oliefera, Azadarichta indica, and Leuceana leucocephala showed the highest survival rate with 84%, 83.67% and 82.33% respectively. On the other hand, Gravilea robusta and Cordia africana showed lowest performance. Thus, the long dry season, which extended from eight to ten months in the study area, clearly explains the poor survival and growth response in some of the species. Hence it can be inferred that the conditions of Babille matched with the environmental requirement of Moringa oliefera, Azadarichta indica, and Leuceana leucocephala. Therefore, the species offers much promise for future use in agroforestry practices in the area. Generally, the study under Babille conditions and related agro ecology, we advocate these adapted species for further properly allocate species into the site that grow and adapt agro forestry practices, forest plantations and economic and livelihood benefits for different stakeholders.