Millettia ferruginea from southern Ethiopia:: Impacts on soil fertility and growth of maize

Growing agricultural crops under Millettia ferruginea (Hochst.) Baker, a tree that is endemic to Ethiopia, is an age-old practice in the country, but the beneficial effects of the tree on crops have not been scientifically quantified. To achieve this, four isolated and nearly identical Millettia trees growing on similar site conditions were selected and canopy coverage of each tree was divided into four radial transects. Four plots of 0.5 x 0.5 m were established on each radial transect at 0.5 to 1, 2.5 to 3, 4.5 to 5, and 6.5 to 7 m away from the tree bases. The control plot was established at 29.5 to 30 m. Composite soil samples from each of the four plots located at a comparable distance and at two soil depths, 0 to 10 and 20 to 30 cm, were collected and analyzed. The level of surface soil P, organic C, exchangeable base-forming cations and cation exchange capacity were all significantly higher (P < 0.000 to P < 0.015) under the trees than in the open field. Nutrient levels declined with depth and increasing distances from the tree trunk. Soil pH values did not show significant horizontal or vertical variations in all the soil samples analyzed. Maize plants grown on soils collected from underneath Millettia trees resulted in significantly better growth responses and higher dry matter yield as compared to the control (P < 0.001). Socioeconomic studies indicated that Millettia trees have good standing in the region both because of their desirable biological characteristics and because of their economic benefits.