STAND STATUS AND YIELD ECONOMICS OF ACACIA SENEGAL (L) WILD AT ABDERAFI, NORTH WESTERN ETHIOPIA
Tatek Dejene1, Omarsherif Mohamed1, and Haile Adamu2
1Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Forestry Research Center, P.o.Box 30708 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Debre Zeiet agricultural Research Center,
P.o.Box, 32 Debre Zeiet, Ethiopia
ABSTRACT
Acacia senegal (L) Wild, is an important indigenous multipurpose tree species known for its gum arabic product. The species has diverse ecological and economic benefits. Despite its benefits, information on its stand status and yield potential is lacking particularly in the northern Ethiopia. Here we studied the stand status and yield economics of A.senegal at Abderafi, north western Ethiopia. A total of 52 sample plots of size 20 x 20 m were used for counting matured trees at 300m intervals by laying parallel transects with 500m regular interval. Smaller sample plots of size 5 x 5 m nested in the center of each plot were used for measuring saplings. Besides, the gum yield ha-1 year-1 was estimated by multiplying the mean A.senegal stem density ha-1. The result revealed that A.senegal is the dominant tree species constituted 70.70% of the vegetation with the mean density of 356 stems ha-1. The population structure of A.senegal showed an inverted J-shape suggesting stable and healthy population. Also, the mean number of A.senegal trees from which gum arabic can be produced with DBH ≥ 4cm found 211stems ha-1 indicating adequate number of matured trees for gum production. Accordingly, 190 to 422Kg ha-1 year-1 of gum arabic could be harvested that could worth $US ca 950 to 2110 ha-1 year-1. More interesting, the regeneration status of A.senegal trees in the stand showed a huge potential to enhance the sustainable utilization of gum arabic from the natural stand in the study area.
Keywords: Abderafi, Acacia senegal, Dry land, Regeneration, and yield
