Improvement of water application efficiency by moisture conservation methods for establishment of planted tree seedlings |
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| Abstract: | Abstract The survival rate of transplanted tree seedlings in the afforestation and reforestation programs of Ethiopia has been very often low due to, among others, inadequate soil moisture particularly during the establishment period. Irrigation of seedlings and conserving moisture at the early stage of growth in areas with inadequate rainfall can improve survival. The efficiency of water application can be improved not only through technical and technological consideration of the irrigation hardware (equipment and structures), but also through the application of appropriate soil water management practices. The principles underlying soil moisture movement under different soil conditions were applied on improvement of irrigation application efficiency for the establishment of transplanted tree seedlings at Alemaya Research Station. The principle that a coarser soil layer underlying a given soil prevents, in an unsaturated condition, its penetration by the moisture front, was used in Acacia saligna seedlings. This method of moisture conservation using a sand layer was also tested in combination with surface and vertical organic mulching. Three liters of water was applied to the individual seedlings planted in 2×2 m at a four‐day interval. A higher flesh biomass yield, plant height, and collar diameter were observed using the sand layer. Surface mulching used in combination with sand layer showed the highest value. The soil moisture content measured at 20 cm and 40 cm of the root depth was lower in the control treatment of tree seedlings without sand layer and mulching. |
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