Water harvesting in a ‘runoff-catchment’ agroforestry system in the dry lands of Ethiopia

A major production constraint in arid and semiarid areas of Ethiopia is a lack of water for crop growth. Run off water can be harvested by channeling it into micro- catchments (MC) where it slowly infiltrates into the soil. The increased moisture provides more plant growth in these dry lands. An experiment using MC was conducted in eastern Ethiopia to study the growth of four multipurpose tree species intercropped with grass. Trees and grass were grown in 25 m² and 100 m² MC. Plant height, root collar diameter, and mortality rate of trees were determined 12 months after planting. Dry matter yield of grasses and trees were measured and nutrient analysis of plant tissues was determined. In a separate experiment the biomass of trees was determined after 2.5 years of continuous growth without grass competition. Soil moisture, organic matter, texture and bulk density of the soils were also determined. Mean tree height was 10% greater in the 100 m² than in the 25 m² MC. Root collar diameter and survival rate showed similar increase with 13% and 7.8% respectively. Acacia saligna and Leucaena leucocephala showed better growth in both plot sizes than the indigenous Acacia seyal and Acacia tortilis. The dry matter yield of grass (Panicum maximum) was over 12 tons/ha and 8 tons/ha in the 100 m2 and 25 m2 plots respectively. Soil moisture content was greater in MC than in control plots with no water harvesting structures with 31% and 24% during the wet and dry seasons respectively. The use of water harvesting can improve fodder production and carrying capacity of the dry lands of Ethiopia.     

Tree/crop complementarity in an arid zone runoff agroforestry system in northern Kenya

We tested the hypothesis that shallow-rooted crops and deep-rooted trees will share the available water in a complementary manner, when grown together, in a field trail in the Turkana district of northern Kenya during 1994 to 1996. Such studies have been few in dryland agroforestry. The effects of two different Acacia saligna (Labill.) H. Wendl. tree planting densities (2500 and 833 trees per ha), tree pruning (no pruning vs. pruning) and annual intercrops (no intercrop vs. intercrop) on total biomass production and their interactions were tested. In 1996 Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench was used during the first vegetation period and Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. during the second. We used naturally generated runoff water for irrigation to supplement low rainfall amounts typical for the area. High biomass production (> 13 t ha^–1 over a two year period) was observed irrespective of intercropping of pruned trees or sole tree stands. Although the pruning treatment reduced total tree biomass yields by a quarter, the introduction of annual intercrops after the pruning of trees outweighed this loss. The yields of the intercrops in the pruned tree treatments were similar to their yields when grown as monocrops. The calculation of land equivalent ratios showed overyielding for intercropped, pruned systems. The high values for LER (1.36 at low and 1.47 at high density of trees) indicate that there is complementarity in resource use between the different species.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An evaluation of the conical approximation as a generic model for estimating stem volume, biomass and nutrient content in young Eucalyptus plantations

Accurately and non-destructively quantifying the volume, mass or nutrient content of tree components is fundamental for assessing the impact of site, treatment, and climate on biomass, carbon sequestration, and nutrient uptake of a growing plantation. Typically, this has involved the application of allometric equations utilising diameter and height, but for accurate results, these equations are often specific to species, site, and silvicultural treatment. In this study, we assessed the value of incorporating a third piece of information: the height of diameter measurement. We derived a more general volume equation, based on the conical approximation, using a diameter projected to the base of the tree. Common equations were developed which allowed an accurate estimate of stem volume, dry weight and nutrient content across two key plantation grown eucalypt species, Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden and Eucalyptus globulus (Labill.). The conical model was developed with plantation-grown E. grandis trees ranging from 0.28 to 15.85 m in height (1.05 g to 80.3 kg stem wood dry weight), and E. globulus trees ranging from 0.10 to 34.4 m in height (stem wood dry weight from 0.48 g to 652 kg), grown under a range of contrasting cultural treatments, including spacing (E. grandis), site (E. globulus) and fertilization (nitrogen and phosphorus) for both species. With log transformed data the conical function (V_con) was closely related to stem sectional volume over bark and stem weight (R² = 0.996 and 0.990, respectively) for both E. grandis and E. globulus, and the same regressions can be applied to both species. Back transformed data compared with the original data yielded modelling efficiencies of 0.99 and 0.97, respectively. Relationships between V_con and bark dry weight differed for the two species, reflecting differing bark characteristics. Young trees with juvenile foliage had a different form of relationship to older trees with intermediate or adult foliage, the change of slope corresponding to heights about 1.5 m for E. grandis and age 1 year for E. globulus. The V_con model proved to be robust, and unlike conventional models, does not need additional parameters for estimating biomass under different cultural treatments. More than 99% of the statistical variance of the logarithm of biomass was accounted for in the model. V_con captures most of the change in stem taper associated with cultural treatments and some of the change in stem form that occurs after the crown base has lifted appreciably. Fertilization increased N and P concentrations in stem wood and bark, and regressions to estimate N and P contents (the products of biomass and concentration) were dependent on treatment. For instance, there was a large growth response to N fertilization in E. globulus corresponding with a change (P < 0.05) in the intercept of the regression to estimate N content.     

Allometric models for estimating aboveground biomass of shade trees and coffee bushes grown together

Allometric models for dominant shade tree species and coffee plants (Coffea arabica) were developed for coffee agroforestry systems in Matagalpa, Nicaragua. The studied shade tree species were Cordia alliodora, Juglans olanchana, Inga tonduzzi and I. punctata. The models predict aboveground biomass based on diameter at breast height (for trees), and the stem diameter at a height of 15 cm and plant height (for coffee plants). In addition, the specific gravity of the studied species was determined.The total aboveground biomass of the shade trees varied between 3.5 and 386 kg per tree, and between 0.005 and 2.8 kg per plant for coffee. The aboveground biomass components (foliage, branch, and stem) are closely related with diameter at breast height (r > 0.75). The best-fit models for aboveground biomass of the shade trees were logarithmic, with adjusted R ² between 0.71 and 0.97. In coffee plants, a high correlation was found (r = 0.84) with the stem diameter at 15 cm height, and the best-fit model was logarithmic, as well. The mean specific gravity was 0.52 (± 0.11) for trees and 0.82 (± 0.06) for coffee plants.     

Calibration and Uncertainty Analysis of a Carbon Accounting Model to Stem Wood Density and Partitioning of Biomass for Eucalyptus globulus and Pinus Radiata

There is a need to calibrate models for carbon accounting in forest systems if they are to be applied for carbon trading and off-set schemes. One such model, Full Carbon Accounting Model (FullCAM), calculates stem mass by taking annual inputs of tree growth in stem volume and multiplying these by basic stem wood density. Stem mass is then multiplied by user-entered coefficients to determine the mass of other tree components. Using datasets of Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus globulus that comprised of between 73 and 187 observations, we determined empirical relationships that can be used in FullCAM to relate basic stem wood density to stand age, and masses of bark, foliage or branches to mass of stem wood for these two species. All fitted relationships were highly significant (p < 0.001), explaining between 35 and 89% of the variance. These calibrations were then tested using three case studies where data on volume yield curves and repeated measures of biomass of stand components were available: one of P. radiata and two of E. globulus. Although accumulation of biomass in foliage and branches were not well predicted by the model, sensitivity analysis showed that this was relatively unimportant to total carbon storage because of the dominance of the stem, particularly once the stand is older than 5 years. Indeed, FullCAM accounted for 99% of the variance in measured above-ground biomass at all three sites because calibrations for the mass of stem was reasonably well constrained. Uncertainty analysis showed that despite the standard errors of parameters used in relationships for basic density and biomass partitioning, and for estimates of carbon contents of tree components, we can be 95% confident that sequestration of carbon in trees and debris of Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus globulus plantations are, on average, within 13% of that predicted by FullCAM. Ensis is a joint venture between CSIRO FFP P/L and Scion Australasia P/L     

Agroforestry in the Bolivian Altiplano: evaluation of tree species and greenhouse growth of wheat on soils treated with tree leaves

Severe environmental problems encountered in the highlands of Bolivia may be remedied through the adoption of agroforestry systems, never before studied adequately in this region. As a first step, seven tree species were tested for growth, survival and health at two elevations in the Bolivian altiplano. Species responded variably with Buddleja coriacea Remy., Pinus radiata D. Don. and Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (at the higher elevation) and E. globulus, Baccharis spp., Robinia pseudoacacia L. and B. coriacea (at the lower elevation), displaying high survival, growth and health. In a related greenhouse study, grain yields of wheat planted in soils amended with incorporated foliage of B. coriacea, P. radiata and E. globulus increased three-fold (0.3 g·plant⁻¹ to >1.0 g·plant⁻¹) over grain yields in unamended soils (B. coriacea > P. radiata = E. globulus). Grain nitrogen (mg·plant⁻¹) increased equally in soils amended with P. radiata and B. coriacea foliage (18 mg N⋅plant⁻¹ to 20 mg·plant⁻¹) but decreased in soils amended with foliage of E. globulus (18 g·plant⁻¹ to 9 g·plant⁻¹). This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of pruning on radial growth and biomass increment of trees growing in homegardens of Kerala, India

To evaluate the effects of pruning on stem radial growth increment and leaf and twig biomass production, an experiment with four pruning intensities (0, 50, 75 and 90%) on ten locally important tree species (Ailanthus triphysa, Albizia odoratissima, Artocarpus hirsutus, Bombax malabarica, Bridelia crenulata, Erythrina indica, Grewia tiliifolia, Macaranga peltata, Terminalia paniculata and Xylia xylocarpa ), was carried out. The results did not support the contention that a certain level of pruning promotes stem growth in trees. Instead, all species have a level of pruning that reduces annual increment in stem diameter. In Ailanthus triphysa and Artocarpus hirsutus trees subjected to different pruning intensities showed a decline in the annual increment in stem diameter while in other species diameter increment reduced when the pruning intensity was 75% and 90%. Response to pruning in terms of biomass production also varied from species to species. In Erythrina indica, Macaranga peltata and Terminalia paniculata annual foliage and branch production in pruned trees was significantly more than that of the un-pruned trees. However, in Ailanthus triphysa, Albizia odoratissima, Artocarpus hirsutus, Bridelia crenulata, Grewia tiliifolia and Xylia xylocarpa pruned trees produced comparatively more amount of foliage and branches produced annually than that by the un-pruned trees when the pruning was carried out once in 2 years. Based on these observations it is recommended that trees of Erythrina indica, Macaranga peltata and Terminalia paniculata may be pruned at 50% level annually while the trees of Ailanthus triphysa, Albizia odoratissima, Artocarpus hirsutus, Bridelia crenulata, Grewia tiliifolia and Xylia xylocarpa may be pruned at the same pruning intensity once in 2 years.     

Effects of partial defoliation on closed canopy Eucalyptus globulus Labilladière: Growth, biomass allocation and carbohydrates

Herbivory caused by leaf-eating insects continues to be a severe risk to forest trees and forest stands. Besides quantifying the extent of defoliation, the quantification of the trees’ response to the loss of biomass is a challenge to plant ecologists and foresters alike, and an important precondition for the application of appropriate silvicultural measures. While many defoliation studies target small trees as model systems, little is known about the effect of defoliation on larger trees. In the present study, we investigated the effects of 45% removal of leaf area on growth, biomass allocation and carbohydrates of 13 m tall, four-year-old, plantation Eucalyptus globulus Labill. in southern Tasmania. Responses were measured in three crown zones (lower, middle, upper) over a period of 11 months. Height increment was unaffected by defoliation, but diameter increment was significantly reduced 155 days after treatment. Defoliation treatment had no effect on stem volume and biomass partitioning compared with the control treatment. Trees responded to defoliation by decreased branch senescence in the lower crown, greater leaf area development in the mid crown and increased specific leaf area. Defoliation reduced concentration of soluble sugars (SS) in foliage by 22% and the pools of SS in the coarse roots by 34%. Decrease in root SS was only observed in 10-15 mm diameter class and the rootball. We concluded that this four-year-old E. globulus stands with a closed canopy was able to tolerate a single, partial artificial defoliation event, which is similarly observed with younger trees.     

Allometric models to estimate foliage biomass of Tamarindus indica in Burkina Faso

Tamarindus indica L. is a multi-purpose tropical species. In West Africa the local people use its leaves daily as a source of food, medicine and income. To prevent the over-exploitation of this species for its use for non-timber forest products, the estimation of foliage production needs to be adressed. This study aimed to (1) assess the effects of distribution zone and tree size on foliage production of T. indica in Burkina Faso, and (2) develop allometric equations to estimate foliage biomass of this species. A semi-destructive method was used to assess foliage biomass of 120 trees over six stem-diameter size classes within two distribution zones (Sub-Sahelian and North-Sudanian). A two-way ANOVA was perfomed to test the effect of distribution zone and tree size class on foliage production. Allometric equations were fitted with 80% of the sample trees randomly selected and 20% were used for model validation. The results showed that between the two factors, tree size class exhibited a significant effect on foliage production of T. indica both in the Sub-Sahelian and North-Sudanian zones. Allometric equations to predict the foliage biomass of T. indica were similar for its distribution zones in Burkina Faso. Therefore, a general model is adequate for the prediction of foliage biomass of T. indica at a larger scale including a variety of ecological conditions. Stem diameter at 1.3 m aboveground was the most accurate predictor variable (adjusted R² = 0.81) with a prediction error of ?2.76%. This study opens up new potentials to develop and use allometric equations for West African trees of high socio-economic value in their effective and sustainable use for non-timber forest products.     

Mixed planted-fallows using coppicing and non-coppicing tree species for degraded Acrisols in eastern Zambia

The widespread planting of Sesbania sesban fallows for replenishing soil fertility in eastern Zambia has the potential of causing pest outbreaks in the future. The pure S. sesban fallows may not produce enough biomass needed for replenishing soil fertility in degraded soils. Therefore, an experiment was conducted at Kagoro in Katete district in the Eastern Province of Zambia from 1997 to 2002 to test whether multi-species fallows, combining non-coppicing with coppicing tree species, are better than mono-species fallows of either species for soil improvement and increasing subsequent maize yields. Mono-species fallows of S. sesban (non-coppicing), Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala and Acacia angustissima (all three coppicing), and mixed fallows of G. sepium + S. sesban, L. leucocephala + S. sesban, A. angustissima + S. sesban and natural fallow were compared over a three-year period. Two maize (Zea mays) crops were grown subsequent to the fallows. The results established that S. sesban is poorly adapted and G. sepiumis superior to other species for degraded soils. At the end of three years, sole G. sepium fallow produced the greatest total biomass of 22.1 Mg ha⁻¹ and added 27 kg ha⁻¹ more N to soil than G. sepium + S. sesban mixture. During the first post-fallow year, the mixed fallow at 3.8 Mg ha⁻¹ produced 77% more coppice biomass than sole G. sepium, whereas in the second year both sole G. sepium and the mixture produced similar amounts of biomass (1.6 to 1.8 Mg ha⁻¹). The G. sepium + S. sesban mixture increased water infiltration rate more than sole G. sepium, but both these systems had similar effects in reducing soil resistance to penetration compared with continuous maize without fertilizer. Although sole G. sepium produced high biomass, it was G. sepium + S. sesban mixed fallow which resulted in 33% greater maize yield in the first post-fallow maize. However, both these G. sepium-based fallows had similar effects on the second post-fallow maize. Thus the results are not conclusive on the beneficial effects of G. sepium + S. sesban mixture over sole G. sepium. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Evaluation of fuelwood quality of indigenous and exotic tree species of India's semiarid region

The fuelwood potential of indigenous (Acacia nilotica, Azadirachta indica, Casuarina equisetifolia, Dalbergia sissoo, Prosopis cineraria andZizyphus mauritiana) and exotics (Acacia auriculiformis, A. tortilis, Eucalyptus camaldulensis andE. tereticornis) trees were studied. Calorific value variations for components, such as, stump, main stem, treetop, branches, foliage and bark, were determined. Tree components differed highly significantly (P<0.01) among groups (indigenous and exotics) and within species. The calorific means ranged from 18.7 to 20.8 MJ/kg for indigenous tree species and 17.3 to 19.3 MJ/kg for exotics. Besides calorific values, other fuelwood characteristics, such as, density, ash, biomass/ash ratio, moisture and nitrogen content were also studied. It was observed that indigenous tree species are better suited as fuelwood species as they contain high density wood, low ash content and low N percentage. The fuelwood value index (FVI) was found to be high of indigenous tree species and was maximum forCasuarina equisetifolia (2815). The most promising tree species were in the order ofC. equisetifolia, A. nilotica andZ. mauritiana.     

Enhanced water use efficiency in a mixed Eucalyptus globulus and Acacia mearnsii plantation

Significant increases in aboveground biomass production have been observed when Eucalyptus is planted with a nitrogen-fixing species due to increased nutrient availability and more efficient use of light. Eucalyptus and Acacia are among the most popular globally planted genera with the area of Eucalyptus plantations alone expanding to over 19 Mha over the past two decades. Despite this, little is known about how nutrition and light availability in mixed-species tree plantations influence water use and water use efficiency (WUE). This study examined to what extent water use and WUE have been influenced by increased resource availability and growth in mixed-species plantations. Monocultures of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. and Acacia mearnsii de Wildeman and 1:1 mixtures of these species were planted. Growth and transpiration were measured between ages 14 and 15 years. Aboveground biomass increment (Mg ha⁻¹) was significantly higher in mixtures (E. globulus; 4.8 + A. mearnsii; 0.9) than E. globulus (3.3) or A. mearnsii monocultures (1.6). Annual transpiration (mm) measured using the heat pulse technique was also higher in mixtures (E. globulus; 285 + A. mearnsii; 134) than in E. globulus (358) and A. mearnsii (217) monocultures. Mixtures exhibited higher WUE than monocultures due to significant increases in the WUE of E. globulus in mixtures (1.69 kg aboveground biomass per cubic metre water transpired) compared to monocultures (0.94). The differences in WUE appear to result from increases in canopy photosynthetic capacity and above- to belowground carbon allocation in mixtures compared to monocultures. Although further studies are required and operational issues need to be resolved, the results of this study suggest that mixed eucalypt–acacia plantations may be used in water-limited environments to produce a given amount of wood with less water than eucalypt monocultures. Alternatively, because mixtures can be more productive and use more water per unit land area (but use it more efficiently), they could be utilized in recharge zones where rising water tables and salinity result from the replacement of vegetation (fast growing trees) that uses higher quantities of water with vegetation (shallow rooted annual crops) that use lower quantities of water.     

Performance of Sesbania sesban infested by the defoliating beetle Mesoplatys ochroptera in Zambia

Developing integrated pest management practices against the defoliating beetle Mesoplatys ochroptera is an important aspect of the adoption of Sesbania sesban as an improved fallow species in southern Africa. The effect of defoliation by M.ochroptera on the growth of S. sesban(provenance Kakamega) was studied during 1998–2000 at Msekera Research Station in eastern Zambia. To determine the relationship between M. ochroptera densities and degree of defoliation, potted seedlings were infested manually with different densities of larvae and adults. Infestation of two to three month old seedlings with 5–30 larvae or adults resulted in less than 20% defoliation. Infestation of seedlings with 90–150 larvae(>3 masses of eggs) led to 80–100% and 50–80% defoliation in two and three months old seedlings, respectively. The time of infestation and degree of defoliation that lead to reduction in growth and biomass were determined using simulated (manual) defoliation of one to three months old S. sesban seedlings. Manual removal of 50–100% of the foliage atone and two months after transplanting (MAP) appeared to reduce plant height, basal diameter, primary branches, leaf and wood biomass compared to that done atthree MAP. Removal of 25–50% of the sesbania foliage three months after transplanting apparently leads to overcompensation. In sesbania, compensatory growth occurred when 25–50% of the leaves were defoliated three months after transplanting. Therefore, farmers need to protect sesbania seedlings from defoliation against insects such as M. ochroptera only during the first two months after transplanting.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Fractal analysis of canopy architectures of Acacia angustissima, Gliricidia sepium, and Leucaena collinsii for estimation of aboveground biomass in a short rotation forest in eastern Zambia

A study was conducted at Msekera Regional Agricultural Research Station in eastern Zambia to (1) describe canopy branching properties of Acacia angustissima, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena collinsii in short rotation forests, (2) test the existence of self similarity from repeated iteration of a structural unit in tree canopies, (3) examined intra-specific relationships between functional branching characteristics, and (4) determine whether allometric equations for relating aboveground tree biomass to fractal properties could accurately predict aboveground biomass. Measurements of basal diameter (D10) at 10cm aboveground and total height (H), and aboveground biomass of 27 trees were taken, but only nine trees representative of variability of the stand and the three species were processed for functional branching analyses (FBA) of the shoot systems. For each species, fractal properties of three trees, including fractal dimension (Dfract), bifurcation ratios (p) and proportionality ratios (q) of branching points were assessed. The slope of the linear regression of p on proximal diameter was not significantly different (P < 0.01) from zero and hence the assumption that p is independent of scale, a pre-requisite for use of fractal branching rules to describe a fractal tree canopy, was fulfilled at branching orders with link diameters >1.5 cm. The proportionality ration q for branching patterns of all tree species was constant at all scales. The proportion of q values >0.9 (fq) was 0.8 for all species. Mean fractal dimension (Dfract) values (1.5?1.7) for all species showed that branching patterns had an increasing magnitude of intricacy. Since Dfract values were ≥1.5, branching patterns within species were self similar. Basal diameter (D10), proximal diameter and Dfract described most of variations in aboveground biomass, suggesting that allometric equations for relating aboveground tree biomass to fractal properties could accurately predict aboveground biomass. Thus, assessed Acacia, Gliricidia and Leucaena trees were fractals and their branching properties could be used to describe variability in size and aboveground biomass.     

Water use efficiency and uptake patterns in a runoff agroforestry system in an arid environment

Water is the most limiting factor for plant production in arid to semiarid regions. In order to overcome this limitation surface runoff water can be used to supplement seasonal rainfall. During 1996 we conducted a runoff irrigated agroforestry field trial in the Turkana district of Northern Kenya. The effects of two different Acacia saligna (Labill.) H. Wendl. tree planting densities (2500 and 833 trees per ha), tree pruning (no pruning vs. pruning) and annual intercrops (no intercrop vs. intercrop: Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench during the first season and Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. during the second season) on water use were investigated. The annual crops were also grown as monocrops. Water consumption ranged from 585 to 840 mm during the first season (only treatments including trees). During the second season, which was shorter and the plants relied solely on stored water in the soil profile, water consumption was less than half of that during the first season. Highest water consumptions were found for non-pruned trees at high density and the lowest were found for the annual crops grown as monocrops. Tree pruning decreased water uptake compared to non-pruned trees but soil moisture depletion pattern showed complementarity in water uptake between pruned trees and annual intercrops. The highest values of water use efficiency for an individual treatment were achieved when the pruned trees at high density were intercropped with sorghum (1.59 kg m^–3) and cowpea (1.21 kg m^–3). Intercropping and high tree density increased water use efficiency in our runoff agroforestry trial. We ascribe the observed improvement in water use efficiency to the reduction of unproductive water loss from the bare soil.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Important characteristics of some browse species in an agrosilvopastoral system in West Africa

Three browse species, Afzelia africana Sm., Khaya senegalensis (Desv.) A. Juss., and Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. were investigated as agroforestry system components in a subhumid zone of West Africa. The foliation, flowering and fruiting of ten trees per species were recorded every 15 days for 2 years. The total foliage biomass at maximum availability was determined by complete pruning of 75 trees. The chemical composition of the foliage and the proportion of trees pruned on the pasture were determined. The phenological phases of the species began in the dry season and ended at the end of the rainy season. Afzelia africana and Pterocarpus erinaceus were totally defoliated during 2–6 weeks while K. senegalensis replaced the foliage progressively and earlier. The crude protein content was significantly different (123 g, 102 g and 92 g kg⁻¹ dry matter (DM) for Afzelia africana, Pterocarpus erinaceus and K. senegalensis, respectively). The foliage biomass per tree of K. senegalensis, Pterocarpus erinaceus and Afzelia africana differed significantly (41 kg, 30 kg and 21 kg DM ha⁻¹, respectively) while Pterocarpus erinaceus had the highest available foliage biomass per ha. The trees of Afzelia africana were intensively pruned. There was a significant relationship found between foliage biomass and circumference of the crown for Afzelia africana (R ² = 82%) and Pterocarpus erinaceus (R ² = 81%). Relationships were also found between circumference of the branches and foliage biomass. In conclusion, the trees are important potential fodder and nitrogen sources for animals in the agrosilvopastoral system and the phenological differences make the fodder available during a long period of time.     

Soil biological properties under different tree based traditional agroforestry systems in a semi-arid region of Rajasthan,India

An investigation was carried out in an Entisol at farmers’ field in Jaipur district, Rajasthan, India during 2002–2004 to evaluate the effect of traditionally grown trees on soil biological characteristics. Traditionally grown trees in farm lands for study consisted of Prosopis cineraria (L.), Dalbergia sissoo (Roxb.) ex DC, Acacia leucophloea (Roxb.) and Acacia nilotica (L.) Del. having a canopy diameter of 8 m. Results revealed significant and substantial improvement in soil biological activity in terms of microbial biomass C, N and P, dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activity under different tree based agroforestry systems as compared to a no tree control (cropping alone). Soil microbial biomass C, N and P under agroforestry varied between 262–320, 32.1–42.4 and 11.6–15.6 μg g⁻¹ soil, respectively, with corresponding microbial biomass C, N and P of 186, 23.2 and 8.4 μg g⁻¹ soil under a no tree control. Fluxes of C, N and P through microbial biomass were also significantly higher in P. cineraria based land use system followed by D. sissoo, A. leucophloea and Acacia nilotica in comparison to a no tree control. Thus, it is concluded that agroforestry system at farmers’ field enhance soil biological activity and amongst trees, P. cineraria based system brought maximum and significant improvement in soil biological activity.     

Weeds in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus globulus</Emphasis> subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">maidenii</Emphasis> (F. Muell) establishment: effects of competition on sapling growth and survivorship

The effect of herbaceous vegetation on growth and survival was assessed in planted eucalyptus saplings grown under four levels of weed cover. Seedlings of Eucalyptus globulus subsp. maidenii were planted with 0 (W0), 25 (W25), 50 (W50) and 100% (W100) weed cover. Weed species composition and aboveground biomass was determined. Soil water content was evaluated by the gravimetric method. Seedling leaf area, diameter and height were evaluated at planting and during the 3 months following establishment. Tree height, diameter and stem volume was estimated at 12, 24 and 36 months. First year tree survival was recorded. The ratio of cumulative stem growth under W100: cumulative stem growth under W0 was used to measure competitive performance. Regression analysis was used to determine competition thresholds. Weeds seriously threaten the growth of E. globulus subsp. maidenii. Early negative effects of competition on growth were evident as from the second month after establishment, and both seedlings and 1-year-old saplings were more affected than 2- and 3-year-old ones. A “minimum-response threshold” was determined near 500 kg/ha (corresponding to W25 cover). No clear effect was found between sapling survival and weed biomass.     

Nondestructive sampling of Eucalyptus globulus and E. nitens for wood properties. I. Basic density

A non-destructive sampling strategy for basic density, based on removing 12 mm bark-to-bark cores, was developed in E. globulus and E. nitens. Fifty trees of each species, aged 5 to 9 years, were sampled across a range of sites. Core samples were removed on both a north-south and an east-west axis from 6 fixed heights in the base of the tree (0.5 m, 0.7 m, …, 1.5 m). Whole-tree values were calculated from disc samples removed at eight percentage heights (0, 10, 20, …, 70%) and correlations between the cores and whole-tree values were used to determine the optimal sampling height. Core samples were found to be reliable predictors of whole-tree density, explaining between 84% and 89% of the variation between trees. Core sampling of E. globulus and E. nitens to estimate basic density of whole-trees and stands is feasible; cores from trees at all E. globulus sites gave high correlations with whole-tree values. For E. nitens, site differences were apparent, and it is recommended that a small destructive sampling program should be undertaken prior to commencing a major sampling program. Recommended optimal sampling heights are 1.1 m for E. globulus and 0.7 m for E. nitens. Core orientation was not important and density was not related to tree size. Six whole-tree samples or eight core samples are required for estimating the mean density of a stand at a specific site to an accuracy of ±20 kg m⁻³ with a 95% confidence interval. Received 17 September 1998     

西非Sudanian热带林地11个树种地上生物量异速生长预测

Allometric models are necessary for estimating biomass in terrestrial ecosystems. Generalized allometric relationship exists for many tropical trees, but species- and region-specific models are often lacking. We developed species-specific allometric models to predict aboveground biomass for 11 native tree species of the Sudanian savanna-woodlands. Diameters at the base and at breast height, with species means ranging respectively from 11 to 28 cm and 9 to 19 cm, and the height of the trees were used as predictor variables. Sampled trees spanned a wide range of sizes including the largest sizes these species can reach. As a response variable, the biomass of the trees was obtained through destructive sampling of 4 754 trees during wood harvesting. We used a stepwise multiple regression analysis with backward elimination procedure to develop models separately predicting, total biomass of the trees, stem biomass, and biomass of branches and twigs. All species-specific regression models relating biomass with measured tree dimensions were highly significant (p < 0.001). The biomass of branches and twigs was less predictable compared to stem biomass and total biomass, although their models required fewer predictors and predictor interactions. The best-fit equations for total above-ground biomass and stem biomass had R ² > 0.70, except for the Acacia species; for branches including twig biomass, R²-values varied from 0.749 for Anogeissus leiocarpa to 0.183 for Acacia macrostachya. The use of these equations in estimating available biomass will avoid destructive sampling, and aid in planning for sustainable use of these species.