The Effect of Production Systems on Performance and Yield of Selected Plantation Crops in Homestead Agroforestry Practices

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-4989031/v1

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The Effect of Production Systems on Performance and Yield of Selected Plantation Crops in Homestead Agroforestry Practices

https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4989031/v1

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This study investigates the impact of production systems on the growth, yield, and soil characteristics of avocado and citrus trees within homestead agroforestry practices in Dikicha, Habro woreda, Ethiopia. Conducted from June 2019, the research employed a replicated block design with control plots (pure stands of avocado and citrus) and treatment plots (Plantation Crop Combination Agroforestry Practice). Each plot contained nine fruit tree seedlings, replicated across three homesteads. Plantation Crop Combination Agroforestry Practice plots integrated coffee alongside the fruit trees. Tree growth was monitored by measuring height and diameter at breast height every six months. Soil samples were collected at three depths (0–20 cm, 20–40 cm, and 40–60 cm) and analyzed for pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and cation exchange capacity. Agronomic data, including yields of other crops, were recorded annually. Results showed that tree growth in Plantation Crop Combination Agroforestry Practice plots significantly exceeded pure stands after 42 months for avocado and 36 months for citrus, likely due to competition for sunlight. While pure stands had higher yields for avocado and citrus, Plantation Crop Combination Agroforestry Practice plots demonstrated more diverse and higher overall farm outputs, including coffee, maize, potato, and papaya. Soil analyses revealed no significant differences in most soil parameters between the two systems. The study implies that Plantation Crop Combination Agroforestry Practice despite lower individual fruit yields, enhances overall farm productivity and diversity, making it a viable option for sustainable agricultural practices in the region.

Agroforestry has long been recognized in sustainable development models throughout the world due to the benefits it brings not only to the economy and society but also to the ecosystem (Rocheleau et al., 1989; Thanh et al., 2005). Given the immense agricultural and environmental potential of agroforestry, it is no wonder that it is being promoted for adoption among farmers in most developing countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa where productivity is low and more marginal lands are increasingly being brought under cultivation with increasing demand for food crops. Different types of agroforestry practices exist, each denoting specific land management operations on a farm or other management unit and consisting of arrangements of agroforestry components in space and/or time (Gholz, 1987). Agroforestry practices mainly include tree home gardens, woodlots, windbreaks/shelterbelts, boundary planting, live fences, hedgerow intercropping, improved fallow, intercropping under scattered or regularly planted trees, trees on rangelands, trees on soil conservation and reclamation structures, etc.

Homestead refers to home and adjoining land occupied by a family to cultivate some crops for their own consumption and marketing. Homesteads represent a land use system involving deliberate management of multipurpose trees and shrubs in limited association with seasonal vegetables (Fernandes and Nair, 1986). Generally, the purpose of homestead is small-scale agricultural production, home upkeep, sanitation, health, and nutrition (Ninez, 1984). It is land occupied by the dwelling unit of the household and the immediate area surrounding it, including courtyard, pond, road space around homesteads, space used for cultivation of trees and vegetables and unutilized space (Abdullah, 1986). Homesteads play a vital role in providing timber, fuelwood, fodder, and fruits.

The conservation of cultivated plants in homestead gardens not only preserves a vital resource for humankind but plays an important role in household food security, as it is a sustainable source of food, fruits, and vegetables (Uddin and Mukul, 2007). Though there are diverse efforts of integrating fodder and fruit trees (multipurpose trees) in homestead agroforestry as a practice in Ethiopia, there are still knowledge gaps on the effect of management options and production systems on fodder and fruit trees in homesteads. There is also a need to further develop and backup home garden practices with promising multipurpose tree species and proven technological (management) options in the rural community. Among many influential management options (production systems) to be studied is Plantation crop combination agroforestry practice (PCCAP)

Plantation crop combination agroforestry practice (PCCAP) is an agroforestry practice containing plantation crops (such as coffee, cocoa, tea, rubber, oil palm, spices, coconut, fruit crops, etc.) and/or shade trees, fuel wood/fodder trees, or shade-tolerant herbaceous crops as its main components. Smallholder farmers in humid and sub-humid areas of southwest (SW) Ethiopia have the practice of integrating plantation crops like coffee and spices with shade trees and/or with fruit and annual crops, primarily to meet their subsistence and cash income requirements. SW Ethiopia is ecologically suitable for many plantation crops and many types of PCCAPs. The common PCCAP found in SW Ethiopia includes coffee and shade trees; spices and shade trees; coffee, spices, and shade trees; and coffee, shade trees, fruit trees (e.g., avocado, mango) and/or khat, enset, banana, and spices. Of which, coffee shade tree agroforestry practice is a dominant one.

Fruit trees like avocados, mangos, and mulberries with high nutritional and economic value could be cultivated either as pure stands or as an integral component of the coffee- and enset-based agroforestry systems in Ethiopia. Productivity of fruit trees could be influenced by differences between production systems that could either be pure or integrated. Studies indicate that productivity of avocado was significantly (p < 0.05) different between production systems. The highest avocado fruit yield was observed from trees grown in the coffee and enset-based agroforestry systems as compared to pure avocado stands (Berehanu et al., 2016). Thus the potentials and limitations of PCCAP for high productivity in the Southern region and other similar areas could be considered as a point for further study.

Therefore, the objective of this study is to test and promote potential fruit tree-based home garden agroforestry practices that contribute to sustainable utilization of resources. The trial was implemented around homesteads or on protected farmlands with varying biophysical and socio-economic resources.

2.1. Description of the Study Area

The study was conducted in the Dikicha site of Habro woreda, situated at coordinates (7°20’0”N − 9°0’0”N and 40°20’0”E − 41°10’0” East). The altitude of the study site ranges from 1850 to 2771 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.). The region experiences a bimodal rainy season, with the primary rainy season occurring from June to September and a shorter wet season from February/March to April. Meteorological records covering thirty-three years (1980–2013) indicate an average annual rainfall of 930 mm. The area maintains minimum and maximum temperatures of 10.7 and 23.9°C, respectively. Khat serves as a significant cash crop in this district. Its cultivation predominantly aligns with main roads due to its perishable nature and the necessity for proximity to major markets or accessible roads (Agency 2007). Additionally, mixed farming is prevalent among farmers in the region, encompassing the cultivation of both annual and perennial crops alongside livestock management. Key agricultural crops include sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), maize (Zea mays L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare), and coffee (Coffee arabica).

2.1.1. Geographical location

2.2. Research Design and Data Sampling Techniques

2.2.1. Research Design

Research Design

This study was carried out in the west Hararge Habro district, specifically at the Dikicha site, which was selected due to its appropriateness for assessing Perennial Crop-based Agroforestry Practices (PCCAP) specifically coffee-based home gardens. Avocado (Persea americana) and citrus trees were selected for the study. The experiment involved planting nine fruit tree seedlings per plot, with a total of 18 avocado and 18 citrus tree seedlings initially planted on june 2019 at each homestead. This setup was replicated at two other homesteads. The experiment was designed with a series of replicated blocks that included both control and treatment plots. The control plots consisted of pure stands of avocado and citrus trees, serving as a baseline for comparison. The treatment plots, on the other hand, were known as PCCAP (Perennial Crop Combinations in Agroforestry Practices). These PCCAPs featured a diverse mix of crops, prominently including coffee-dominant shade trees alongside avocado and citrus fruit trees. The emphasis on coffee in these treatment plots aimed to explore the ecological and agricultural benefits of integrating coffee as a key component within a mixed agroforestry system.

In this experiment, coffee was already mature and established by the farmers themselves before the experiment began. Those coffees, along with annual agroforestry crops (maize potato and papaya), had been cultivated on the farms prior to the setup of the experiment. The farmers who participated in the experiment were purposefully selected based on these pre-existing conditions. For the experimental setup, adjacent open land was utilized to establish pure stands of avocado or citrus, allowing for a comparison between the pure stands and the mixed stands that included the already established coffees and other crops. By examining the performance and interactions within these coffee-dominant shade environments, the study sought to understand how coffee influences the growth, health, and productivity of the accompanying avocado and citrus trees. This setup allowed researchers to assess the impact of coffee dominance on overall system dynamics, pest control, and resource utilization compared to the monoculture controls. The spacing between trees was maintained at 4 to 5 meters, while a minimum of 2 meters separated the plots within each block. The seedlings were well taken care of and managed by the farmers. Prior to planting, participants were instructed to ensure proper protection, watering, and mulching of the seedlings. These management criteria were deemed essential for ensuring consistency and uniformity across the trials.

Sampling and data collection method

Data collection included monitoring tree growth, measuring height and DBH (diameter at breast height), which was conducted every six months for ten rounds. Soil samples were systematically collected from a rectangular plot to ensure a representative analysis of soil conditions. Four samples were taken from the corners of the plot at three distinct depths: 0–20 cm, 20–40 cm, and 40–60 cm. This process resulted in twelve individual soil samples per plot (four samples per depth). These samples were then composited according to their respective depths. Consequently, three composite samples were created for each plot: one for the 0–20 cm depth, one for the 20–40 cm depth, and one for the 40–60 cm depth. Compositing the sample helps to minimize variability and provides a more accurate representation of soil properties at each depth across the entire plot. A total of 36 samples analyzed for soil properties and another 36 for bulk density. Additionally, agronomic data, such as the yield of other crops per year in combination with the experimental fruit trees, was recorded.

Statistical Analysis

Yield data, growth data (specifically for avocado and citrus fruits), and soil data from the trial plots were analyzed. The soil parameter laboratory analysis, along with the yield and growth data, underwent General linear model to depict the spatial variability of the chosen characteristics. Mean comparisons were conducted using the alpha Fisher-LSD at a significance level of 5 percent, alongside various other statistical analyses, which were performed using SPSS and R 4.0.3 software.

The experiment begins with the preparation of soil in polythene pots, which involves mixing soil with the necessary soil ratio to create a suitable growing environment for the seeds. These bags were then placed in a nursery where avocado and citrus seeds were sown and allowed to grow into seedlings. Once the seedlings were strong enough, they were transplanted into the field for the main experimental setup. The field experiment includes both pure stands (where only avocado or citrus is grown) and (Plantation crop combination agroforestry practice (PCCAP). Over the first year and into subsequent years, data was collected on various parameters such as the height of the plants, agronomic data of annual crops and fruit yields. Finally, soil samples from the experimental plots were collected and analysed in the laboratory at Haramaya University to assess soil fertility and other important soil properties.

3.1. Tree growth of homestead agroforestry practices

The study conducted at the Galamso Dikicha site compared the heights of avocado and citrus stands in pure stands and (Plantation crop combination agroforestry practice (PCCAP) stands. Within the same type of stands (pure vs. pure or mixed vs. mixed), in different blocks there were no significant height differences. But, when comparing pure stands to PCCAP stands, no mean height differences were observed for both avocado and citrus up to 18 months and 30 months, respectively. However, at later stages, significant differences emerged. After 42 months for avocado and 36 months for citrus, PCCAP stands showed notably higher mean heights compared to pure stands. This disparity is likely due to competition for sunlight with other agroforestry trees, prompting taller growth in (Plantation crop combination agroforestry practice (PCCAP) stands under such competitive conditions.

Table 1

Fruit tree growth comparison
Comparisons of mean		Sum of Squares	df	Mean Square	F	Sig.
avocado_hieghts * stands	Between Groups	0.434	1	0.434	0.268	0.605
	Within Groups	515.525	318	1.621
avocado_hieghts * months	Between Groups	412.528	9	45.836	137.381	0.00
	Within Groups	103.43	310	0.334
citrus_heights * stands	Between Groups	0.161	1	0.161	0.107	0.744
	Within Groups	662.697	438	1.513
citrus_heights * months	Between Groups	598.794	12	49.9	332.589	0.00
	Within Groups	64.064	427	0.15

3.2. Yield of homestead agroforestry practices

The comparison between pure stand and (PCCAP) revealed that in terms of yield, pure stands exhibited higher mean yields for both avocado and citrus. These findings suggest a notable influence of environmental conditions on yield, indicating that open stands are conducive to higher yields compared to specific cultivation conditions. However, when considering agronomic yields generated from PCCAP, including coffee, maize, potato, and papaya, the production in PCCAP demonstrated diverse and higher yields across all farm outputs compared to pure stands. The study employed general linear model to assess the mean yield differences of avocados and citrus trees under different conditions. Initially, the assumptions of homogeneity of variance and independent t- test were satisfied for both comparisons. For avocados, trees in open stands yielded significantly higher (M = 13.6, SD = 4.18) than those under PCCAP_avocado conditions (M = 7.40, SD = 2.98), with a alpha Fisher-LSD of Pr(> F = 0.544, indicating a significant difference (p = 0.00). Similarly, for citrus trees, those in open stands exhibited significantly higher yields (M = 5.3, SD = 1.98) compared to those under PCCAP citrus conditions (M = 3.1, SD = 1.10617), with a alpha

Fisher-LSD of Pr(> F) = 0.17, also indicating a significant difference (p = 0.00).

Similar studies indicated that agroforestry systems, such as combining avocado with coffee and guava, or avocado with orange, demonstrate promising outcomes in terms of growth and yield when compared to mono-crop systems. Avocado-centered agroforestry systems exhibit greater productivity and profitability in contrast to mono-cropping. Encouraging the integration of diverse plant species is suggested for sustainable agriculture in Michoacan, Mexico (Montiel-Aguirre et al. 2008). Another study (Krishnamurthy 2008) compared avocado mono-cropping with avocado-coffee-guava agroforestry systems, revealing higher productivity and profitability in the latter, emphasizing the potential benefits of integrating diverse plant species. Studies from Southern Ethiopia (Biazin et al. 2018) highlight the increased productivity of avocado-based agroforestry systems compared to mono-cropping. Avocado trees in agroforestry systems with coffee or Enset demonstrate higher fruit yields compared to individual tree plantings. Effective management practices are essential for optimizing growth and yield. Inter-planting avocado trees with cocoa resulted in reduced cocoa yield compared to mono-cropping, with avocado trees receiving 80.6% light and yielding 28.3 pods per tree, indicating a yield trade-off. Mixing different avocado varieties in groves led to enhanced fruit set, potentially boosting growth and yield through cross-pollination, as observed in southern California avocado groves. Interweaving avocado with other crops, such as orange or cocoa, also positively influences yields.

For citrus, intercropping with species like Stropharia rugoso-annulata (SRA) promotes soil organic carbon accumulation, while incorporating citrus with trees like alder, cherry, and albizia in agroforestry systems positively impacts growth and timber volume (Dhyani and Tripathi 1998; Zhang et al. 2017). Furthermore, employing proper agronomic practices such as variety selection, land preparation, and nutrient management is crucial for achieving high citrus yields. Yield prediction models integrating machine vision and UAV data show promising outcomes, highlighting the significance of precision agriculture techniques in enhancing citrus growth and yield (Al-Taei and Al-Zamili, 2021) These findings collectively emphasize the importance of plantation crop combination agroforestry practices techniques in optimizing avocado and citrus yields.

Studies in Ethiopia (Gebretsadik 2023) revealed that farmers in the rift valley regions require more tree diversity on their lands to enhance agroforestry adoption. In Assam (Saha et al. 2021), traditional homestead agroforestry systems face challenges like declining plant diversity due to various threats. A study in Bangladesh (Singh et al. 2021) identified 29 different agroforestry combinations, with agro-silviculture being the most common practice. Financial evaluations in

Ethiopia (Eshetu et al. 2018) and Bangladesh (Rahman et al. 2020; Singha et al. 2018; Sheikh

et al. 2021) showed that homestead agroforestry systems can be profitable, with varying

costs and benefits compared to other agroforestry systems. Overall, the yield of homestead

agroforestry practices is influenced by species diversity, management strategies, economic

factors, and local contexts.

	stands	means	std	r	se	LCL	UCL	MS_error	Df	Mean	CV
Citrus	Citrus mixed	3.21	1.2	22	0.35	2.508	3.911	2.66	41	4.3	38.16
Citrus	Citrus pure	5.3	2.02	23	0.34	4.603	5.976
Avocado	Avocado mixed	7.4	2.98	21	0.8	5.79	9.02	13.33	34	10.17	35.88
Avocado	Avocado pure	13.6	4.18	17	0.88	11.79	15.39

		Df	Sum Sq	Mean Sq	F value	Pr(> F)
citrus	Farmer	2	9.82	4.91	1.85	0.17
	Treatment	1	50.03	50.03	18.83	9.11e-05 ***
	Residuals	41	108.95	2.66
Avocado	Farmer	2	16.5	8.3	0.62	0.544
	Treatment	1	347.8	347.8	26.1	1.24e-05 ***
	Residuals	34	453.1	13.3

Crop species	PCCAP_ agronomic yield/yr(kgs)
coffee	47.3
maize	80.6
potato	100
papaya	50

3.3. Soil characteristics, of homestead agroforestry practices

The study investigated soil characteristics, including pH, organic carbon content, total nitrogen percentage, available phosphorus, and cation exchange capacity, in both pure avocado stands and avocado stands within the Plantation Crop Combination Agroforestry Practice (PCCAP). Laboratory analyses showed no significant differences in these soil parameters between the two stand types. This suggests that soil conditions were similar in both pure and PCCAP avocado stands, indicating that observed differences in avocado yield were likely not due to soil variations. Similarly, when comparing soil characteristics between pure and PCCAP citrus stands, notable differences were only found in soil pH. This suggests that soil conditions in both types of stands were largely similar. Consequently, differences in both avocado and citrus yields were likely influenced by factors such as microclimate, light availability, competition with other vegetation, or management practices, rather than soil variations.

Contrary to our study, previous research has shown homestead agroforestry practices exhibit significant benefits in soil characteristics compared to pure stands in fruit tree practices. Studies in Kerala and West Bengal (Varshitha et al. 2023; Mina et al. 2023) highlighted that homestead agroforestry systems had higher soil organic carbon content, promoting better soil quality and car

bon sequestration potential. In contrast, pure stands of fruit trees like rubber plantations

showed lower soil organic carbon levels and less favorable soil properties (Das et al. 2022).

Additionally, research in Bangladesh emphasized that multistoried agroforestry systems

improved soil fertility parameters such as pH, organic carbon, and nutrient content compared to sole cropping with fruit trees (Islam et al. 2022). Overall, homestead agroforestry

practices demonstrate superior soil characteristics, making them a more sustainable option

for enhancing soil health and productivity.

Table 3

Soil chemical analysis of pure and mixed avocado in the study area
Group Statistics					Levene's Test
	standings	N	M	SD	F value	Sig	df	t	Sig. (2-tailed)
soil_PH	Pure_avocado	9	7.13	0.89	0.55	0.46	16	0.04	0.96
	PCCAP_avocado	9	7.12	0.80			15.81	0.04	0.97
OC%	Pure_avocado	9	1.64	0.29	1.67	0.21	16	-0.83	0.42
	PCCAP_avocado	9	1.82	0.58			11.74	-0.83	0.42
TN%	Pure_avocado	9	0.14	0.02	1.68	0.21	16	-0.84	0.41
	PCCAP_avocado	9	0.16	0.05			11.75	-0.84	0.42
Av.p(mg/kg)	Pure_avocado	9	5.68	2.97	1.65	0.22	16	0.42	0.68
	PCCAP_avocado	9	4.77	5.82			11.89	0.42	0.68
CEC(cmol+/kg)	Pure_avocado	9	18.13	4.71	0.06	0.81	16	-0.02	0.99
	PCCAP_avocado	9	18.18	5.60			15.55	-0.02	0.98

Table 4

Soil chemical analysis of pure and mixed citrus in the study area
Group Statistics	standings	N	M	SD		Levene's Test		t-test for Equality of Means
						FSig.		tdfSig. (2-tailed)
soil_PH	pure citrus	9	7.21	0.33	0.11	0.001	0.979	2.94	16	0.01
	PCCAP citrus	9	6.76	0.32	0.11			2.94	15.985	0.01
OC%	Pure citrus	9	1.64	0.72	0.24	0.65	0.432	-0.86	16	0.404
	PCCAP citrus	9	1.89	0.49	0.16			-0.86	14.12	0.406
TN%	pure_citrus	9	0.14	0.06	0.02	0.65	0.432	-0.86	16	0.403
	PCCAP_citrus	9	0.16	0.04	0.01			-0.86	14.127	0.405
Av.p(mg/kg)	pure_citrus	9	6.31	3.16	1.05	1.624	0.221	0.17	16	0.864
	PCCAP_citrus	9	5.93	5.76	1.92			0.17	12.413	0.865
CEC(cmol+/kg)	pure_citrus	9	20.98	5.24	1.74	0.064	0.803	0.78	16	0.446
	PCCAP_citrus	9	19.13	4.74	1.58			0.782	15.842	0.446

The study aimed to evaluate the performance and yield of selected plantation crops under homestead agroforestry practices in the Dikicha site of Habro woreda, West Hararge, Ethiopia. By comparing pure stands of avocado and citrus trees with plantation crop combination agroforestry practices (PCCAP), the research sought to understand the impact of these practices on tree growth, yield, and soil characteristics. The findings revealed that while tree height differences were not significant initially, PCCAP stands eventually exhibited greater heights for both avocado and citrus trees compared to pure stands. This suggests that competition for sunlight in PCCAP stands promotes taller growth. However, in terms of yield, pure stands outperformed PCCAP for both avocado and citrus trees. Despite this, PCCAP demonstrated higher and more diverse agronomic yields, including coffee, maize, potato, and papaya, highlighting its potential for integrated and sustainable production systems.

Soil analyses indicated no significant differences in most soil parameters between pure stands and PCCAP for both avocado and citrus trees, except for a notable difference in soil pH for citrus. This implies that yield differences were likely influenced by factors other than soil conditions, such as microclimate and management practices. Overall, the study underscores the benefits of PCCAP in enhancing tree growth and achieving diverse agronomic yields, though pure stands may yield more fruit per tree. Future research could further explore the optimization of management practices to maximize the benefits of agroforestry systems while maintaining or improving yield. The findings support the promotion of agroforestry practices for sustainable resource utilization and improved agricultural productivity in similar regions.

Author Contribution

author A( Daba Bogale) collected data, analyzed the manuscript author B (Goremsu Getachew ) collected data, supervision author C (wondwossen Gebretsadik) conceptulation

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No competing interests reported.

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The Effect of Production Systems on Performance and Yield of Selected Plantation Crops in Homestead Agroforestry Practices

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Abstract

Figures

1. INTRODUCTION

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1. Description of the Study Area

2.1.1. Geographical location

2.2. Research Design and Data Sampling Techniques

2.2.1. Research Design

3. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

3.1. Tree growth of homestead agroforestry practices

3.2. Yield of homestead agroforestry practices

3.3. Soil characteristics, of homestead agroforestry practices

Conclusion

Declarations

Author Contribution

References

Additional Declarations

Status:

Version 1