In view of broadening the genetic base of bamboo resources and looking for alternative bamboo species that can grow in mid altitude areas where indigenous species are not growing in Ethiopia, different introduced bamboo species were tested for their adaptability and growth performance in different areas across the country. Data on ecological and climatic conditions of testing sites and corresponding growth in terms of diameter, height and density of the species were assessed; growth in Ethiopia was compared with growth of the species in their place of origin, i.e. South, Southeast and Tropical Asia. Accordingly, Dendrocalamus asper, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Bambusa vulgaris and Dendrocalamus giganteus were found to have similar diameter and height growth while Dendrocalamus membranaceus showed lower values in Ethiopia when compared to growth in its origin. The species-site matching effort of the species within Ethiopia in this regard, is conducted based on similarity in altitude and climatic conditions (rainfall, temperature) of experimental sites to other sites across the country. All the species, except B. bambos, perform well in Oromia, Amhara, SNNP and Tigray regions. All species, except D. gigantues. B. balcoa and B.bambos performed well in Benishangul-Gumuz region. Research on adaptability study needs to be extended in other regions of Ethiopia.

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Bamboo is a fast-growing woody perennial and grass species, has a unique feature and quality. It has a high potential for socio-economic development and for environmental improvement. The study was conducted in Benshangul Gumuz Regional state, which lowland bamboo highly dominated area. This study aims to identify the best vegetative propagation techniques for Oxytenanthera abyssinica species. Randomized complete block design with three replications was used. The propagation materials were offset, rhizome without node, and rhizome with two-node and whole culm. Totally, 108 planting materials were planted. Nine planting materials were used in each plot level. The survival rate, newly sprouted shoots; their height and root collar increment data were collected. There was a significant difference in number of newly sprouted shoots between the propagation techniques. Higher numbers of sprouted shoots and survival rates were recorded in offset and rhizome with two nodes than rhizome without node and whole culm propagation techniques. While there was a significant difference between the mean shoot height of propagation techniques. In addition, there was no significant difference in root collar diameter between propagation techniques. The finding suggests that rhizome with two-node propagation techniques are appropriate for large and small scale plantation of Oxytenanthera abyssinica. 

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In Ethiopia, bamboo thickets and woodlands play an important role in soil-water conservation and climate change mitigation in arid and semi-arid regions. However, bamboo mass flower-ing, rapid demographic changes and expansion of agricultural investments to bamboo domi-nated areas have led to deforestation and land degradation. In this study, we determined the effects of deforestation and subsequent cultivation on soil physical and chemical properties along a chronosequence of closely located agricultural lands with different ages (1, 3, 5 and 7 years) since converted from natural lowland bamboo forest. Hence, soil samples (n = 90) have been taken from both natural bamboo forests and adjacent agricultural lands at two soil depths (0-20 cm and 20-40 cm). Our result showed that CEC, K+, Ca+, Mg+ and available P were varied significantly with respect to cultivation periods and soil depth, while soil pH and Na+ varied with soil depth (P < 0.001). Soil C and total N contents (g/kg) in 0-20 cm soil layer declined significantly and exponentially with increasing years under cultivation. Conversion of natural bamboo forest to cropland during the past seven-year period significantly increased soil pH with soil depths, while CEC was declined throughout the cultivation period and soil depth. In general, the result revealed that conversion of natural lowland bamboo and subsequent cultivation of soil had negative effects on measured soil physicochemical properties.