International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD)

Volume 9 Issue 1, Jan-Feb 2025 Available Online: www.ijtsrd.com e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470

Impact of Christ's Thorn and Mango Trees on Sorghum

(Sorghum bicolor) Yield in Parkland Agroforestry
Practice at Harari Region, Ethiopia
Bira Cheneke Feyissa1, Solomon Estifanos Bekele2
1
Fedis Agricultural Research Center of Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Harar, Ethiopia
2
Haramaya University; College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Haramaya, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT How to cite this paper: Bira Cheneke

Understanding the nature of trees should provide an important step Feyissa | Solomon Estifanos Bekele
for improving the productivity of the components and designing "Impact of Christ's Thorn and Mango
agroforestry systems. The study was aimed to evaluate the impacts of Trees on Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)
Yield in Parkland Agroforestry Practice
parkland Christ's thorn and Mango trees species on the yield of
at Harari Region, Ethiopia" Published in
sorghum within and outside the canopy of the tree in Harari Region International
Ethiopia. Accordingly, twelve trees (six for each) isolated and nearly Journal of Trend in
similar Mango and Christ's thorn trees growing on more or less Scientific Research
similar site conditions, management practices, canopy coverage and and Development
height were selected. Sorghum variety (bullo) which is dominantly (ijtsrd), ISSN:
grown around the study area was sown during rainy season along 2456-6470,
with existing both tree species in crop field. Three quadrates 1 m*1 m Volume-9 | Issue-1, IJTSRD75116
were laid out under, edge and outside the canopy of the trees in the February 2025,
sorghum farmland to assess the sorghum grain and biomass yield in pp.820-825, URL:
parkland. The finding of the study also showed that the grain and www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd75116.pdf
biomass yield of sorghum were significantly (P<0.05) increased
Copyright © 2025 by author (s) and
under canopy of Christ's thorn trees. Mango -sorghum interaction International Journal of Trend in
showed highly significant (p<0.01) reduction of sorghum biomass Scientific Research and Development
and grain yield under the tree canopy compared with open area. It can Journal. This is an
be concluded that the integration of trees particularly Mango with Open Access article
sorghum in parkland agroforestry should be promoted with effective distributed under the
tree crown management to reduce crop shading, particularly near the terms of the Creative Commons
tree where the shading effect is high. Attribution License (CC BY 4.0)
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)
KEYWORDS: Parkland agroforestry, grain yield, biomass yield,
canopy cover, pruning

1. INTRODUCTION
Well-designed agroforestry practices can maximize compared to outside of canopy. The effect of trees on
the beneficial interactions among the system annual crop productivity is also based on the
components, which could be possible through cumulative effect of both above and below-ground
selection of trees and crops with best-matching component interaction (Muktar et al., 2018).
patterns in light, water and nutrient acquisition Therefore, investigation of the biophysical
(Agena, 2009). Different studies on soil-trees-crop interactions of trees and crops under different
relation in agroforestry practices showed that selected ecological settings is vital to properly managing farm
trees and shrubs improve soil fertility which results in trees or sustaining the system.
boosting crop yield (Zerfu et al., 2020). However, all
Scattered Mango and Christ's thorn trees on sorghum
trees on the farm cannot improve soil property and field are common practice in the Harari Region and
crop yield; some trees negatively affect the yield and thus, information on their biophysical interaction
growth of associated annual crop. For instance, need to be assessed to manage the system properly
Mesfin et al. (2014) found significant depression of and enhance its productivity. In particular, empirical
maize yields within first 1 m distance from the evidence is required to demonstrate the effects of
Avocado trees line resulting in the reduction of 96.5% trees on yield of crops to convince land users and
and 89.8% for grain and biomass, respectively as policy makers to promote the integration of trees in

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farming systems. Therefore, this study investigated with an elevation range of 1300–1600 m.a.s.l. The
the effect of parkland Christ's thorn and Mango trees mean minimum and maximum annual air
on yield of sorghum under and outside the tree temperatures of the area are 15 °C and 31 °C,
canopy as compared to the control on open sites. The respectively. The district has a bimodal rainfall
results will be useful to farmers and other distribution pattern with erratic rain from April to
stakeholders to give insight into the effects of June and long and main rain from July to September.
parkland trees on sorghum yield in their farmlands. The district has two basic agro-climatic conditions,
The information can also help in designing i.e. 20% of the land area of the district is midland
sustainable land use that could enhance the (weyna dega), while the remaining 80% is lowland or
productivity of crops while maintaining and kola. In the Sofi District medium textured sandy clay
improving the resource base. The objective of this loam and sandy loam is dominant and rated as
study was to evaluate the effect of Christ's thorn and slightly to moderate alkaline with good permeability
Mango trees on grain and biomass yield of sorghum soils. Crops cultivation with multipurpose trees
at different distance from the trees trunk in parkland (MPT) and/or livestock) are the major means of
agroforestry practice in Harari Region, Eastern livelihood in the area. Sorghum is the dominant crop
Ethiopia grown in the area followed by groundnut (Arachis
hypogaea L.), maize (Zea mays L.), and haricot beans
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1. Description of the study Area (Phaseolus vulgaris). Scattered MPT species grown
This research was conducted in Sofi District, Harari in annual crops field is also the most common AF
Region, Ethiopia. The study area is located longitude practices in the area.

Figure 1. Location map of the study area (Kile and Harawe kebeles of Sofi District).

Figure 2. Average monthly rainfall (mm), maximum and minimum temperature (0C) of the study area
for the period 2013-2022 E.C.

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The study was carried out on farmers’ farmlands in Sofi District, Harari Region to compare the selected soil
physical and chemical properties under traditionally retained and deliberately planted parkland Christ's thorn and
Mango trees against the open field (outside the canopy cover). The trees being the most abundant scattered tree
species on sorghum fields were selected for this study. Based on the potential existing of parkland agroforestry
practices Sofi district was selected from Harari Regional State. Then two rural kebeles, namely Kile and Harawe
were purposively selected based on the potential existence of the selected tree species on farmland with sorghum
production.
2.2. Sampling of Christ's thorn and Mango Trees in Sorghum Farm land
Two tree species (Christ's thorn and Mango) were purposively selected because they are dominantly grown tree
species along with sorghum and were already adapted in the study area. Six isolated and nearly identical
individual Christ's thorn and Mango have approximately similar canopy width, management history, age, height,
diameter at breast height (DBH), slope similarity and absence of influence from other types of trees species
grown on the sorghum field were selected from the target study sites. The twelve trees (six for both tree species)
were considered as replications. The height, DBH and crown diameter of the trees were measured by using
clinometer, caliper and meter tape, respectively. The dimension of each replication was almost uniform with the
average DBH, height, and crown diameter of 51.58 cm, 10.53 m and 11.11 m for Mango, respectively. Similarly,
for Christ's thorn the average DBH, height and crown diameter were 42 cm, 10.76 m and 9.33 m, respectively.
2.3. Grain and Above Ground Biomass Yield of Sorghum
Sorghum was sown during the rainy season along with existing tree species (Mango and Christ's thorn) in
farmland as parkland agroforestry practices at both selected kebeles of the district. Sorghum was sown under and
out of the canopy of selected tree species, which have almost the same age, height and management practices.
Relatively homogenous soil type, site conditions in terms of slope, aspect and topography and growth and vigor
of the trees were also considered in the selection of the trees of each species. Seeds of sorghum were sown
during rainy season on farmers managed cropland by hand drilling with national recommendation rate (12 kg ha-
1
) and spacing (75 cm between row and 20 cm between plants) of sorghum. NPS fertilizer was applied at the rate
of 100 kg ha-1 during planting and urea was applied as top dressing of 50 kg ha-1 at knee height stage uniformly
under, edge and outside of canopy of the trees in all experiments sites of parkland agroforestry. Weeding and
other management practices were applied as per recommended for the site.
The sorghum variety used for this study was local variety (bullo) which is dominantly grown by farmers and
already adapted around the study area. For sorghum experiment there was only- one factor involved in this
study; distance from the tree trunk under both selected tree species. The distance factor had three different
treatment levels; under canopy, edge of canopy and outside the canopy (10 m) as control which replicate 6 times;
3*6 and 36 total sample units or sample size for sorghum yield were used in this study for both tree species.
Three quadrate 1 m * 1 m were laid on the existing sorghum farm under the canopy of the trees, edge of the
canopy and outside the canopy of the tree. Three plots were laid in four directions (North, South, East and West)
under selected trees on the existing sorghum farm field for assessing the sorghum yield on the farmer managed
farm field. Sorghum was harvested manually from each plot and data were collected from all plants grown in the
plots. Biomass yield was measured weight of the above ground plant parts harvested from all plants in the plots
after dried for ten days in open sun. Grain yield of sorghum were measured by harvesting from all plants in the
net quadrate of 1 m2, sun-dried, trashed manually, cleaned and weighted using digital balance and converted
yield per plot to yield in kg ha-1 for both grain and above ground biomass.
2.4. Method of Data Analysis
The statistical differences between the values for the various parameters of sorghum grain and biomass yield
were subjected to analysis of variance following the General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of Statistical
Analysis System (SAS) version 9.2 (SAS, 2008). The Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was used to
separate significantly differing treatment means following the main effects were to be curtained to significantly
different (P < 0.05).
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
3.1. Effect of Christ's thorn Trees on Grain and Above Ground Biomass Yield of Sorghum in Parkland
Agroforestry
The analysis of variance showed that the grain and biomass yields of sorghum were significantly different
(P<0.05) across the distance from the Christ's thorn in farmland (Table 1). The mean values of grain and biomass
yield of sorghum decreased significantly with increasing distance from the Christ's thorn trees in the sorghum
field. Accordingly, the overall mean values of above-ground biomass and grain yield of sorghum were higher at

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the canopy zone of Christ's thorn than in the open field. Increased grain and biomass yield under the canopy of
Christ's thorn, trees by 17% and 30.3% respectively than the outside canopy of trees (Table 1).
Table 1. The effect of Christ's thorn on sorghum grain and biomass yield (kg/ha) at different distances
from trees trunk
Distance from the tree trunk Grain yield (kg/ha) Above ground Biomass yield (kg/ha)
Under canopy 1778.2a 7316.7a
ab
Edge of canopy 1636.1 6618.2ab
b
Out of canopy(10m) 1459.2 5345.9b
LSD (5%) 242.87 1546.6
* Means with the same letter are not significantly different (P< 0.05)
The increase in grain and above-ground biomass yield under the trees could be due to the phenological
characteristics of the tree species; partial canopy cover, which allows more light for photosynthesis reaction and
improvement of soil properties, and under the tree canopies than the open fields. This yield increase may result
from:(1) light shading early in the cropping season, which results in a decrease in soil surface temperatures and
reduce moisture loss (2) nutrients assimilated through the roots are returned to the soil surface through litter fall;
and (3) feces and urine deposition by cattle seeking shade and fodder during the dry season. Hadgu et al. (2009)
reported similar findings under the A. albida tree.
Moreover, the finding of the study implies that even non-nitrogen fixing trees (Mango and Christ's thorn) release
organic matter and thereby, improve the physicochemical properties of soil in parkland agroforestry practice
which could increase crop yield. In line with this current result, Desta (2018) also reported that crops grown
under the canopy of Acacia tortilis obtained more advantages compared to the open field in the Central Rift
Valley of Ethiopia. The mean variation at three distances (under, edge, and out of the canopy of trees) might
come from modification of microclimate and soil physical and chemical properties by the tree species. The grain
and biomass yield of sorghum decreased significantly and gradually as the distance from the tree trunk increased
in parkland agroforestry in Kersa District, East Hararghe zone (Sisay, 2021), which is similar to the present
study.
Contrary to the current study finding, sorghum height, grain, and biomass yields were not significantly different
among the three distances; under the canopy, near the canopy, and far from the canopy (10 m) of B. aegyptica in
sorghum farmland (Hailemariam et al., 2010). Haile et al. (2019) also reported that the grain and biomass yield
of sorghum gradually decreased as the distance from trees increase due to soils under Z.spina-christi tree
canopies being more fertile than the outside from higher accumulation of soil organic matter. Moreover, the
current result is in agreement with, Alemayewu et al. (2017) higher sorghum yield under the canopy of A.
senegal than out of the canopy (open field). This may be attributed to the improved soil fertility and modified
microclimate parameters under the canopy than the outside canopy. Improved the grain yields by 12.1% and
14.5% under the canopy zone of Z. spina-christi for wheat and maize by increasing respective yield components
(Yang et al., 2016).
3.2. Effect of Mango Trees on Grain and Above Ground Biomass Yield of Sorghum in Parkland
Agroforestry
Sorghum aboveground biomass and grain yield were found highly significantly (P ≤ 0.01) affected by the
presence of Mango trees in sorghum farmland (Table 2). Above-ground biomass and grain yield of sorghum
were lower under the canopy as compared to the edge of the canopy and out of the canopy of trees. Biomass and
grain yield was reduced by amount 34.15% and 56.58% under a canopy of Mango as compared to an open field.
Accordingly, the mean values of grain and biomass yield of sorghum increased significantly with increasing
distance from the Mango trees in the sorghum field (Table 2).
Table 2. The effect of Mango on sorghum grain and biomass yield (kg/ha) at different distances from
trees trunk
Distance from the trunk of the trees Grain yield (kg/ha) Above ground biomass yield (kg/ha)
Under canopy 685.91c 2345.5c
Edge of canopy 1013.63b 3557.2b
a
Out of canopy(10m) 1563.39 5402.5a
LSD (5%) 167.14 936.46
* Means with the same letter are not significantly different (P< 0.05)

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The decrease in grain and biomass yield under the parkland agroforestry practices in Sofi district, Harari
trees may be due to the large and dense canopy cover Region, Ethiopia. However, the effect of these trees
of the trees and high competition for light under the species on sorghum yield was not scientifically
tree canopies. This might be due to the shading effect studied in the area. Information can help to promote
of the trees on seed emergence and seedling survival. agroforestry trees on farmland, manage the system or
Additionally, farmers around the study area never components properly and enhance their productivity.
prune branches of scattered Mango trees grown in The twelve trees (six for each) isolated and
crop fields even if it affects the production of annual approximately similar individual Christ's thorn and
crops. It might also be due to the shade intolerance Mango trees were selected from the study sites.
character of sorghum (Hassan et al., 2018). Mango Sorghum was sown under and out of the canopy of
has heavy shade or canopy, its leaves are evergreen selected trees species with continuous follow-up and
and not shade its leaves during crop growing season, management practices during the whole growing
which allows light competition for photosynthesis period. Quadrate 1 m * 1 m were laid on the crop
reaction. However, soils under tree canopies were field under, edge and outside of the canopy (10m
more fertile than the outside due to a higher from the trees) to assess sorghum yield. Grain and
accumulation of soil organic matter. biomass yield data of sorghum were collected by
harvesting from all plants in the net quadrate.
Generally, the result showed increases in biomass and
grain yield of sorghum with increasing distances from The result of the study revealed that the grain yield of
a mango tree trunk in farmland. Thus, deliberate sorghum was increased under a canopy of Christ's
integration and intensive management of the trees in thorn, due to the partial canopy cover of trees, which
the agricultural system are vital for obtaining the allows more light for photosynthesis reaction and
desired optimum benefit from the practice. In line improvement of soil properties under the tree
with this current result, in avocado and maize canopies than the open fields. However, sorghum
interaction, both maize yield and biomass showed yield is reduced under the canopy of Mango because
increasing trends with increasing radial distance from of the large and dense canopy cover of the trees
trunk and light affect competition affect maize yield which may cause light competition and affect
under the avocado canopy in southern Ethiopia sorghum seeds' emergence and seedling survival;
(Mesfin et al., 2014). Severe impacts of trees on which require tree crown management. However,
agricultural productivity are often location specific; both Mango and Christ's thorn trees species had
tree species depend on and greatly vary with tree-crop improved selected soil physicochemical properties in
configuration and management (Sileshi, 2016). parkland agroforestry practice in the study site.
Crops (finger millet, niger, groundnut, Fenugreeks, Therefore, parkland agroforestry practices involving
chilly, and bean) achieved maximum profit hence, it Mango and Christ's thorn can be used as an
is recommended such types of crops be planted as an economically feasible, environmentally friendly, and
intercrop in mango plantation during the main rainy sustainable alternative to maintaining soil fertility to
season (Meshram et al., 2020). The authors suggest resource-poor farmers in similar agro ecological
that proper crown management is necessary for conditions. Based on the findings, the research
agroforestry systems. Contrary to the current finding, induces the following recommendations: The
Tiwari and Baghel(2014) recommended growing integration of Mango with sorghum in parkland
mango under rain-fed with annual crops like maize, agroforestry practice should be promoted with
sorghum, beans, groundnut, etc., vegetables, and effective tree crown management to reduce the
perennial cash crop. The study by Kar (2012) also canopy shading on crops which affects the production
concludes that inter cropping of onion in mango trees yield of the sorghum. Furthermore, research is
has the highest return value and the yield of tomato is required on the impacts of trees pruning and other
highest by growing under Mango with canopy silvicultural management practices on the yield and
management of trees. Moreover, the current result yield components of the understory crops and offer
also disagreed with the highest biomass and grain the findings to the policymakers to enhance the
parkland agroforestry practice.
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