Abstract:
Faidherbia albida is one of the important parkland agroforestry tree species which have
great role in improvement of soil fertility. Thus, the objective of this study was to
investigate the effect of Faidherbia albida tree species on some soil physicochemical
properties and assess its socioeconomic benefits and management practices in Kenna
Woreda, Konso Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A complete block design was used to determine
the effect of Faidherbia albida on soil physicochemical properties, while a simple random
sampling was used to obtain representative households from purposively selected Fasha
and Debena Kebeles. In each block (farmland), three individuals of Faidherbia albida
with similar crown height, diameter at breast height, and crown diameter were selected
for the study. A total of twenty four composite soil samples were taken at 2.6 m, 5.2 m,
7.8 m, and 23.4 m radial distances under each selected Faidherbia albida tree, in four
directions, from 0 - 20 cm and 20 - 40 cm fixed soil depths. Furthermore, open and close
ended question, focus group discussion, and face to face interviews were convened to
collect socioeconomic data. All model assumptions for normality and homogeneity of
variance were checked using Shapiro-Wilk and Levene’s test, respectively, and then soil
data were analyzed using one way of analysis of variance and Least Significance
Difference for mean separation at P < 0.05. The results showed that sand and clay
fraction was not significantly different (P > 0.05) among radial distances and soil depths,
while silt fraction was significantly different (P < 0.05). Bulk Density, pH and Electrical
Conductivity, Available phosphorus, Soil Organic Carbon, Total Nitrogen, and Cation
Exchange Capacity were significantly different (P < 0.05) with distance from the tree
trunk and soil depth. Furthermore, the social survey revealed five socioeconomic benefits
of Faidherbia albida in the study area including uses for animal fodder, fuel wood, live
fence, honey production, and making of household tools. This study also identified
numerous tree management practices such as pruning, pollarding, and lopping for
managing Faidherbia albida on farmlands. Overall, Faidherbia albida play important
role in improving soil fertility and providing valuable benefits to local communities,
suggesting the need to sustain and further promote it in the farmlands. Appropriate tree
management procedures should be practiced to maximize both agricultural and
socioeconomic benefits, which indeed require further investigation.
