The Effect of Scattered Multipurpose Trees (Erythrina Brucei Schweinf. And Croton Macrostachyus Hochst. Ex Delile) on Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) Yield in Southern Ethiopia

Abstract Integrating multipurpose trees on cropland with annual crops is common in Ethiopia. However, information on its impact on annual crop yield is scarce in many parts of the region. This study was to evaluate the effect of Croton macrostachyus Hochst. ex Delile (Euphorbiaceae) and Erythrina brucei Schweinf. (Fabaceae) on wheat crop yield in southern Ethiopia, Gamo Zone, Chencha district, Ayira kebele. Ayira kebele was selected purposively based on having abundant trees on cropland. Eight trees were selected based on having an approximately similar diameter at breast height, height, and crown area from a similar site. The wheat crops was sown under the canopy and outside the canopy of the selected trees and the biomass and yield were collected from 1/3m crown radius, 2/3m crown radius, edge of the crown, and outside the canopy of the trees by establishing 0.5m*0.5m plot. The wheat yields and biomass results were analyzed using two-way ANOVA by SAS Software version 9.0 and mean separation with LSD (%) at a 5% level of significance. The combined analysis of the variance of the study showed that the effect of the two tree species on the biomass and grain yield of wheat was significantly (P< 0.05) higher within the canopy of the tree than outside of the canopy. The findings of the present study will be helpful in knowing the effect of Croton macrostachyus Hochst. ex Delile (Euphorbiaceae) and Erythrina brucei Schweinf. (Fabaceae) on wheat yield. In this study, we found that both tree species would be incorporated into wheat cropping systems to improve the yield of wheat crops for resource-poor farmers as scattered multipurpose trees can be used as an economically feasible, environmentally friendly, and sustainable alternative production. Since both trees have a positive effect on wheat grain yield and plant biomass, expanding the knowledge of these trees in cropland is recommended.