Performance Evaluation of Multipurpose Tree Species Integrated with Moisture Conservation Structures on Degraded Area Closure at Babille District, Ethiopia

Abstract

Tree planting on degraded lands plays a key role in forest rehabilitation processes through afforestation and/or reforestation. Moisture conservation structures have significant impact on seedling survivals at degraded lands. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of moisture conservation structures on seedling survival and growth performance of selected tree species. Field experiment was conducted for four (2016)(2017)(2018)(2019)(2020) in degraded area closure at Babile District East Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia. The experimental design followed was the split plot design. The moisture conservation structures as main plot used were Soil level bund, Trench and normal pit (used as control). The tree species grown as subplots were Moringa oleifera, Melia azedarach, Grevillea robusta, Leuceana leucocephala and Sesbanea sesban. The five tree species were planted by using seedlings. The tree survival rate, plant height, diameter at breast height and root collar diameter of the five tree species were measured every three months in year after transplanting. The result shows that moisture conservation structures were significant in tree survival rate, plant height, and root collar diameter but not in tree diameter at breast height. Tree seedling height and root collar diameter grown in the Soil level bund were significantly higher than those grown in moisture conservation structures, trench and normal pit (P≤0.05). Survival rate and diameter at breast height grown in the Trench were significantly higher than those grown in moisture conservation structures, soil level bund and normal pit (P≤0.05). The survival rate of tree seedling was higher when grown in Trench than normal pit (control) (P≤0.05). The interaction of tree species seedlings and moisture conservation structures shows that those seedlings grown on moisture conservation structures were significantly thicker, taller and more survived than those grown on the normal pit (control) (P≤0.05). Based on the experiments, it is concluded that moisture conservation structures particularly the Trenches was considered as the most appropriate planting pit. Therefore, further demonstration of Trenches tree planting should be carried out.

Adaptation and Growth Performance Evaluation of Selected Multipurpose Trees and Shrubs at Yabello District, Borana Zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia

“…This suggests that the condition of the study area matches well with the environmental requirements of these species. The finding was similar to the study, which reported that in the fourth year, a higher survival rate (60.12%) was observed for Moringa oleifera in the Babille district [21]. Another study also stated that Moringa oleifera showed good survival rates, with mean values of 100% at Bako conditions [22].…”

Review on Factors Affecting Early Survival of Tree /Shrub Seedlings and it’s Remedy in Restoration Sites of Ethiopia

“…In contrast to this, Siyum et al (2019), states that moisture harvesting systems, particularly the eyebrow basin, are considered the most appropriate planting pit in the case of degraded lands in southern Tigray. Cheneke et al (2021), shares a similar opinion when they state that the moisture conservation structures, mainly trenches, are considered the most appropriate planting pit for degraded area closure in Babille district, Ethiopia. For example, Cheneke et al (2021), states that the mean survival of seedlings planted in trenches (65 %) is higher than in normal pits (57 %), and soil bunds (56 %), four years after establishment.…”

“…Cheneke et al (2021), shares a similar opinion when they state that the moisture conservation structures, mainly trenches, are considered the most appropriate planting pit for degraded area closure in Babille district, Ethiopia. For example, Cheneke et al (2021), states that the mean survival of seedlings planted in trenches (65 %) is higher than in normal pits (57 %), and soil bunds (56 %), four years after establishment. Disparate to this, Mamo et al (2016), shows that the mean survival of seedlings planted in half-moons (80 %) is higher than in normal pits (73.33 %) and trenches (60 %) three years after establishment in the case 134 of Hawi Gudina district, west Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia.…”

Investigation of Moisture Collection Structures and Introduction of Resistant Tree Species in the Semi-Arid Slopes of Tigray, Ethiopia

“…This result was in line with the findings of Eyasu et al [21] who found seedlings planted in moisture harvesting structures survived better compared to the conventional pit. Other authors also reported almost all moisture harvesting structures play a crucial role in conserving and storing moisture [35] and have a significant impact on seedling survival [36] on degraded lands.…”

“…Therefore, the water collection ditch helped the seedlings to get more moisture advantage to grow better. So many authors [21,36,41] proved the advantage of moisture harvesting structures on tree seedling growth. Generally, the lower site showed better height and diameter increment of seedlings compared to the upper site.…”