dc.description.abstract |
This study was conducted in Bahir Dar University main Campus. The aim of the study was to
investigate the woody species composition and distribution of mistletoes. All woody plant
species were collected, recorded, pressed, dried, and then identified following the flora of
Ethiopia and Eritrea, Eighty three species belonging to 71 genera and 40 families were
identified. Fabaceae was the abundant family with 14 species followed by Euphorbiaceae 6
\ species. Moraceae, Rutaceae, Rubiaceae, Loranthaceae, and Myrtaceae had also significant
number. Twenty eight thousand and nine individuals were checked for mistletoes infection.
Seven hundred sixty four individuals were parasitized. Three known species of mistletoes
were identified. Erianthemum dregei was more frequent and more abundant (58.62%). The
infested host trees belonged to 11 species that were members of 10 genera and eight families.
The most parasitized host family was Fabaceae. The most susceptible host species to the
mistletoes was Sesbania sesban (54.47%), followed by Jacaranda momisfolia (25.26%). Host
specificity was highest for Phragmenthera regularis (0.046). Diameter at breast height (DBH)
was measured for plants that had mistletoe species. Results from pearson correlation analysis
showed that the intensity of mistletoes had strong relationship with DBH. The consequence of
parasitism by· mistl~toes demonstrated the need fur establishing comprehensive ecosystem
"
management programs.
Abstract |
en_US |