Evaluation of Different Propagation Methods of Oxytenanthera abyssinica (A. Richard Munro) in Northwestern Tigray, Ethiopia

Aims: The study was conducted with the aim to identify the appropriate propagation techniques of the Oxytenanthera abyssinica.

Study Design: Four different propagation techniques namely rhizomes, culm cuttings, direct seed sowing and seedlings were used. A randomized complete block design was used for studying different seed and vegetative propagation treatments. Four planting materials were planted in each plot and replicated four times.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was done in Tselemti district northwestern zone of Tigray national regional state from June 2016-January 2018.

Results: The survival rate was higher in the direct seed sowing (56.25%) and seedlings (43.75%) compared to that of the rhizome (12.50%) and culm cutting (0%). The numbers of the culms per clumps were significantly higher in seedlings (15.75), direct seed sowing (22) and rhizome (9) than the culm cutting (0) and also the average height of the culms were higher in rhizomes, seedlings, and direct seed sowings than the culm cutting (P<0.05). Significant lower diameter sizes were recorded in direct sowing and culm cuttings compared to the rhizome and seedlings.

Conclusion: The present study confirmed that the direct sowing and seedlings propagation techniques of Oxytenanthera abyssinica are more appropriate and recommended to use in the study area.