dc.description.abstract |
Parkland agroforestry practice is an old and widely distributed traditional farming system
in Ethiopia in general and in Guangua District (Northwest Ethiopia), in particular. Trees
in parkland agroforestry practice provide multitude of benefits, of which their effect on
soil properties is prominent. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effect
of Albizia gummifera and Cordia africana trees on selected soil properties in parkland
agroforestry practice. Accordingly, six nearly similar trees from each of Albizia
gummifera and Cordia africana tree species, growing under similar site conditions, were
selected. Radial distance-based soil sampling (beneath the canopy, at the edge of the
canopy, and far from the canopy) was undertaken from two soil layers. This sampling
was repeated in four directions and composite soil samples were used for soil physical
and chemical analysis. Data on management and utilization of the selected tree species,
were collected from farmers and key informants. The results revealed that soil PH, total
N, and OC significantly (p ≤ 0.01) varied between tree species. In contrast Av.P did not
show significant (p > 0.05) variation between the tree species. Soil TN and OC content
were significantly higher under the canopy of A. Gummifera than that of C. africana. Soil
pH, TN, and OC were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher under the canopy compared to the
open cropland. The importance of A. Gummifera and C. africana trees was emphasized
due to their multiple uses including firewood, timber production, shading, soil fertility,
and soil and water conservation. Maintaining these tree species, especially A. gummifera,
on crop fields in the study area is crucial for enhancing soil fertility and improving food
security for small-scale farming households. |
en_US |