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Soil physicochemical properties and coffee production under canopies of Croton machrostachyus and Cordia Africana tree species in Sayo district, western Ethiopia

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Abstract

The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of Croton macrostachyus and Cordia Africana on selected soil physicochemical properties underneath their canopies and to analyze the effect of these tree species on coffee production compared to unshaded areas. Purposive sampling was used in this study. Three circular plots were laid out under the trees at 3 m (28.26 m2), 5 m (78.5 m2), and 7 m (153.86 m2) distance from each selected tree’s trunk. For analysis, 18 soil composites (2 trees × 3 distances × 3 replications) were collected and twelve circular sample plots were sampled from an open area for comparison from 15 cm depth of soil. Four coffee plants within circular plots with three radial distances (3 m, 5 m, and 7 m) and from unshaded zone were randomly selected. Extracted and dried coffee was measured on a 1000 seed weight base (g per 1000 beans) for coffee weight under each treatment. ANOVA results revealed significant differences in the percentage of sand between shade trees and among different radial distances from the trees. Higher total nitrogen was observed under the tree canopies than in the unshaded zones. There was a relatively higher yield of coffee from coffee grown under the shade of trees than coffee is grown in open areas. Generally, the soil physicochemical properties and coffee production parameters under the canopies of both shade tree species are shown relatively higher than those from unshaded zones. Therefore, integrating these shade trees in coffee production is very important in maintaining soil fertility thereby increasing the yield of organic coffee.

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Abbreviations

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

AV. P:

Available phosphorous

DBH:

Diameter at breast height

E.K:

Exchangeable potassium

OC:

Organic carbon

OM:

Organic matter

SAS:

Statistical analysis system

SCL:

Sandy clay loam

SD:

Standard deviation

SMC:

Soil moisture content

SOM:

Soil organic matter

TN:

Total nitrogen

USDA:

United State Department of Agriculture

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Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely thank Mr. Hika Wana for his constructive comments and advice during the research work. They also thank Nekemt soil laboratory (Oromia research institute) for their help in the analysis of soil properties. We appreciate the staff of the Sayo district coffee and tea office for their support all through the data collection for the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forestry, Wollega University, P.O. Box 38, Shambu, Ethiopia

    Amanuel Tilahun Etafa & Gadisse Dula Adugna

  2. Department of Animal Science, Wollega University, P.O. Box 38, Shambu, Ethiopia

    Fantahun Dereje Dugassa

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  1. Amanuel Tilahun Etafa
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  2. Gadisse Dula Adugna
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  3. Fantahun Dereje Dugassa
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Correspondence to Amanuel Tilahun Etafa.

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Etafa, A.T., Adugna, G.D. & Dugassa, F.D. Soil physicochemical properties and coffee production under canopies of Croton machrostachyus and Cordia Africana tree species in Sayo district, western Ethiopia. Agroforest Syst 97, 519–531 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-023-00807-5

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