Regeneration Of Indigenous Woody Plants Status Of Soil Fertility And Quality Of Coffee Found In An Eucalyptus Grandis Plantation And The Adjecent Natural Forest In Southwestern Ethiopia

This study was conducted to assess the diversity of naturally regenerated woody plants, soilrnfertility, performance of Coffea arabica and coffee cup quality under Eucalyptus grandisrnplantation and the adjacent natural forest in ‘Belete’ forest, Jimma Zone of Oromiya NationalrnRegional state, Ethiopia. Twenty plots with an area of 400 m2 (20m X 20m) were investigated inrneach of the plantation and natural forest. In each plot, species name, abundance, diameter andrnheight were recorded, and soil samples were taken. Besides, coffee beans were collected fromrncoffee trees growing in the plantation and the natural forest. Numbers of Seedling and soilrnsamples were collected in five sub-plots (4 m2) within each major plot.rnA total of 55 naturally regenerated trees, shrubs, and woody climbers belonging to 36 familiesrnwere recorded from both forest categories. There were 47 species in the plantation, and 52rnspecies in the natural forest. The diversity of species was (H’) = 2.19 and (H’) = 2.74 in thernplantation and natural forest, respectively. The understory woody plant density in the plantationrnwas 2820 stems/ha, while it was 3080 stems/ha in the natural forest. No significant differencernwas found in the number of coffee plant stems among the 40 plots. The density of seedlings inrnthe natural forest and plantation was 1101 stems/ha and 801 stems/ha, respectively. There werernsignificant differences (P < 0.05) in the mean diameter and total height of coffee plants in thernnatural forest and the plantation. The density of coffee plants in the plantation was 1022rnstems/ha, while it was 1042 stems/ha in the natural forest.rnThe coffee quality test (Green quality + Cup quality) result indicated that the green quality (Odorrn+ defect) of coffee beans found in the natural forest was 35%, while it was 33% in those collectedrnin the plantation. The Cup quality (Acidity + Body + Flavor) was 45% in both the natural forestrnand plantation. Coffee beans harvested from the natural forest and plantation was assigned in therncategory of grade 2 exportable standard coffees.rnThere was no variation in the level of major soil nutrients, i.e. nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium,rncalcium and magnesium in the natural forest and plantation (P < 0.05). However, there werernsignificant variations between the two forest types in the Na content, clay % and EC.rnivrnGenerally, the plantation was found favoring the performance of some species (Millitiarnferruginia, Coffea arabica). When it grows with other species, it did not deplete soil nutrients andrnhad no effect on the cup quality of coffee. Finally, to utilize E. grandis as a shade tree for coffee,rnfurther investigations with regard to moisture competition, root interaction and allelopathic effectrnare recommended.

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