Physicochemical Properties of Bamboo (Arundinaria Alpine) Based Agroforestry Practice in Dawuro Zone, South West Ethiopia

Abstract

On-farm trees are known to contribute to biophysical and economical sustainability at farm and landscape levels. This study assessed the contribution of woodlot Bamboo Agroforestry practice on some selected soil fertility parameters, the influence of bamboo woodlot Agroforestry on crop production and soil fertiliity at Dawruo zone, Southern Ethiopia. Soil samples were collected from under the canopies of five culms at five radial distances (0.5-1, 1.5-2, 2.5- 3, 3.5-4 and 10m) away from the trunk and a depth (0 – 30cm) for each radial distance. The soil samples were analyzed for physical and chemical properties. The soil textural class of the soil was sandy loam at all radial distances. There was no significant difference in the textural classes between samples taken from open field and under the canopy. Chemical properties including, available P and soil pH had the same tendency with radial distances from the tree trunk. But organic carbon and Total N decreased with increased of distance from the tree base and there is significantly differ between Total N (p< 0.05).  On the hand, the farmers’ perception that bamboo culms depletes soil nutrient was not supported by soil analyzed. In conclusion, bamboo based Agroforestry practice   influence soil nutrients at Ultisols in research site do not influence fertility of soil under their canopy. Indeed, the tree can be regarded as agroforestry trees to integrate them with crop production to enhance the sustainability of soil fertility.

Keywords: Bamboo, Agroforestry, Soil fertility, Crop land