Biomass production of Eucalyptus boundary plantations and their effect on crop productivity on Ethiopian highland Vertisols

Kidanu, Selamyihun; Mamo, Tekalign; Stroosnijder, L.

doi:10.1007/s10457-005-5169-z

Cited by 63 publications

(85 citation statements)

References 11 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Distance from tree base also played significant role on the yield of grain crops. The yield of crops increased with the increase in distance from the boundary tree lines (Kidanu et al, 2005). Further, as a distance increases the grain yield also increases.…”

Section: International Journal Of Current Microbiology and Applied Scmentioning

confidence: 90%

Effect of Eucalyptus Bund Plantation on Yield of Agricultural Crops and Soil Properties in Semi-Arid Region of India

Bhardwaj¹,

Dhillon²,

Kumari³

et al. 2017

Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Section: International Journal Of Current Microbiology and Applied Scmentioning

confidence: 90%

Effect of Eucalyptus Bund Plantation on Yield of Agricultural Crops and Soil Properties in Semi-Arid Region of India

Bhardwaj¹,

Dhillon²,

Kumari³

et al. 2017

Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Although quantitative evidence is scanty, there has been a perception that planting Eucalyptus adversely affects crop productivity (Kidanu et al, 2005). Lane et al (2004) described that in China, the expansion of Eucalyptus plantations on lands previously used for crops and occupied by indigenous trees and grass lowered water tables and reduced water availability for irrigation due to soil hydrophobicity (water repellency) and its deep and dense root network.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eco-hydrological impacts of Eucalyptus in the semi humid Ethiopian Highlands: the Lake Tana Plain

Chanie¹,

Collick²,

Adgo³

et al. 2013

Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:Eucalyptus is the tree of choice for wood production by farmers in Ethiopia. Although there are many claims about its harmful effect on ecology and water availability, little actual research exists. The main objective of this study was, therefore, to study the extent of harm of Eucalyptus on the ecosystem. This study was conducted at the Koga Watershed near Lake Tana in Ethiopia. Twenty-five farmers were interviewed and a field experiment with three replications was carried out to quantify the effect of Eucalyptus on various soil physical and chemical properties and maize crop measurements and to compare bulk density, soil moisture contents, maize crop counts and shading effects in fields bordered by Eucalyptus and Croton macrostachyus. Our results show that Eucalyptus decreased both soil nutrients and maize yields within 20 m of the trees. Although moisture content was not affected during the monsoon, it decreased faster within 30 m of the Eucalyptus trees than elsewhere. Soils become water repellent, too. Local farmers' perception agreed with our experimental findings and indicated that Eucalyptus trees are exhausting the once productive land. They also reported that Eucalyptus dries up springs. Despite this, the growers insist on planting Eucalyptus because of its cash income.

show abstract

“…Eucalyptus -which is frequently grown in woodlots in Congo Nile and Central plateau -contributed to increased household income in this study, agreeing with observations from Ethiopia and Kenya where Eucalyptus trees grown on-farm and in woodlots were more profitable than sole crops (Jagger and Pender 2003;Kidanu et al 2005;Peralta and Swinton 2009). …”

Section: Farmers' Perceptions Of Tree Crop Interactions Influence Agrsupporting

confidence: 92%

Farming with trees: a balancing act in the shade

Ndoli¹

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The smallholder agriculture sector in East Africa is the dominant economic and social activity for millions of farm households who are often resource-poor, food-insecure and most vulnerable to climate change. In this region, population pressure has led to shorter fallow periods or continuous cropping even on hillslopes causing erosion and leading to reduced soil organic matter content and nutrient mining without replenishment. Consequently, poor agricultural productivity has led to food shortages and these problems are likely to intensify in the region, as the human population is growing faster than in other parts of the world. Agroforestry, a low-input technology, was shown to contribute to the enhancement of food production while ensuring sustainability in sub-Saharan Africa.Agroforestry may improve food security by increasing soil fertility and providing additional income from tree products. Thus, agroforestry is now receiving increasing attention as a sustainable landmanagement option and some countries in East Africa (e.g. Rwanda) have pledged to restore up to 100% of their agricultural land mainly through agroforestry by the year 2020. Nevertheless, crop yields reduction in agroforestry are frequent due to competition for resources among trees and crops.In recent studies, tree canopy and root pruning were tested to improve light availability and resource use efficiency but studies that tackle crop management and tillage options to optimize crop productivity in the agroforestry systems are scarce.This thesis aims to assess the importance of agroforestry across Rwanda and its implication on crop productivity and food security of farm households, explore and recommend the maize varieties and tillage options that could minimize tree-crop competition in the equatorial savannah of Rwanda and Ethiopia. The approach combined household survey on the contribution of trees on household income and food security in six agroecologies of Rwanda, experiments on the microclimate and fertility effects of trees on crops in sub-humid region of Rwanda, maize variety testing in agroforestry systems and trials on conservation agriculture with trees in the equatorial savannah of two East African countries: Rwanda (Bugesera site) and Ethiopia (Meki site). The survey in Rwanda found that food security increases with increasing farm size and farmers with more trees tended to be wealthier (e.g. with larger land and more often higher crop and livestock income) and therefore tended to be more food secure in half of the agroecologies. The proportion of household income that came from tree products was the least among sources of income suggesting that most tree products are not sold but kept by farmers for their own use. Yet tree vi income was important for about 12% of the farmers, contributing more than 20% of their overall income. Households having low food security relied more on income from tree products than those with higher food security status. Therefore, income from tree products can be seen as a 'safety net' for the po...

show abstract

Biomass production of Eucalyptus boundary plantations and their effect on crop productivity on Ethiopian highland Vertisols

Cited by 63 publications

References 11 publications

Effect of Eucalyptus Bund Plantation on Yield of Agricultural Crops and Soil Properties in Semi-Arid Region of India

Effect of Eucalyptus Bund Plantation on Yield of Agricultural Crops and Soil Properties in Semi-Arid Region of India

Eco-hydrological impacts of Eucalyptus in the semi humid Ethiopian Highlands: the Lake Tana Plain

Farming with trees: a balancing act in the shade

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About