Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research
 

Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research 

Vol. 5(4), pp. 276-283. July, 2017.

ISSN: 2360-7874 

 DOI: 10.14662/ARJASR2017.026

Full Length Research

Expansion of on-farm plantation of Eucalyptus Saligna tree and associated Nutrients cultivated in Gambo Watershed, Arsi Zone of Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Amisalu Milkias ^a*, Fantaw Yimer^b, Erik Karltun^c

^a Haramaya University, College of Agriculture and Environmental science, P.O. Box 138, Dire Dawa,

^b Hawassa University, Wondo G. College of Forestry and N. Resources, P.O. Box 128, Shashemene, Ethiopia

^c Sweden University (SLU), Department of Soil and Environment

*Corresponding author. E-mail: amsalumilkias@yahoo.com  or amsemilke@gmail.com

Accepted 15 May 2017

Eucalyptus saligna is one of the exotic tree species in Ethiopia. Small scale farmers in Ethiopia plants Eucalyptus saligna widely compared to other tree species. The major objective of the study was to assess the reasons for the expansion of on-farm plantation of Eucalyptus saligna and its associated nutrient export in Gambo watershed, Arsi Zone Oromia region, Ethiopia. Three Kebeles (Ashoka, Gambiltu and Lepis) were selected purposively from the Gambo watershed. Formal survey was carried out on a total of 117 HHs selected by random sampling procedure. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through key informant interview, focus group discussion, and household survey, respectively. For nutrient analysis, representative samples from each tree segment (leaf, branch and stem) of different age categories were taken, and diameter at breast height and height were collected from the nine 10*10 m2 sample plots for aboveground biomass. The results revealed that the main reasons for increased on farm plantation of Eucalyptus saligna were for construction material, income generation, fuel wood, to drain marsh land and for soil and water conservation. The stem of Eucalyptus saligna contains high amount of aboveground biomass. The macro-nutrient concentrations (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) in above-ground tree biomass showed significant differences between tree components. The nutrient concentrations were highest in foliage, while the lowest concentrations obtained in steam and branch tree parts. Harvesting the biomass of whole trees may have a considerable impact on the nutrient export. Therefore, maintaining the aboveground litter fall on the site would minimize nutrient removal.

Key words: Aboveground biomass, Eucalyptus saligna, Nutrient, Plantation, on-farm
 

How to cite this article: Milkias A, Yimer F, Karltun E (2017). Expansion of on-farm plantation of Eucalyptus Saligna tree and associated Nutrients cultivated in Gambo Watershed, Arsi Zone of Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Acad. Res. J. Agri. Sci. Res. 5(4): 276-283

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