Evaluation of Survival, Growth Performance, Feed Value and Biomass Production of Multipurpose Tree and Shrub Species in North Shewa Administrative Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

In the Ethiopian highlands, lack of the availability of multipurpose tree species is a major problem challenging the livelihoods of the local farmers. For example, the shortage of multipurpose trees in such areas has caused huge amount of soil erosion, land degradation and ultimately led to poor agricultural production. In addition, local farmers have little experience in planting multipurpose tree species and there was little species choice for fodder, fuelwood and soil rehabilitation purposes. Even though there are some efforts made in the past to introduce multipurpose tree species in the highland areas, there are only a few species adopted by the local farmers. The aim of this study was to select the best multipurpose tree species that help improve agriculture productions in the mid land areas found in North Shewa Administrative Zone, Ethiopia. Accordingly, eight multipurpose tree and shrub species namely:Albizia chinensis, Desmanthus virgatus, Caliandra houstunian, Genistamon spossulana, Femingia macrophyla, Robinia pseudoacacia, Leuceana diversifolia, and Medica goarboria were included in this study. Randomly Completely Block Design (RCBD) was employed with three replication and sixteen plants were planted in each plot. The experiment was done for six years. The results suggested that Leuceana diversifolia, Albizia chinensis, Genistamon spossulana, Femingia macrophyla and Desmanthus virgatus showed better growth and height performance. On the other hand, Medica goarboria, Caliandra houstunian and Robinia pseudoacacia had poor height and growth performance. The crude protein content of Albizia chinensis, Desmanthus virgatus, Caliandra houstunian and Leuceana diversifolia ranged between 18.02 and 19.69 percent which is important to fulfill the dietary requirements for dairy cows. The highest leaf biomass production was obtained from L. diversifolia (3644 kg/ha).Whereas, C. houstunia gave the least leaf biomass. L. diversifolia trees increased soil pH and organic carbon significantly under soil depth of (0-15cm). Desmanthus virgatus has highest Phosphorus uptake at 15-30 depth of soil. The conclusion from this study is that multipurpose tree and shrub species can be used for supplements for livestock feed in north Shewa condition. In addition, these multipurpose species can help to improve soil conditions especially in degraded areas where soil condition is poor.