Characteristics, Uses and Promotion of Faidherbia albida in Malawi

Henry Phombeya, Land Resource Center&

Trent Bunderson, Total Land Care

Presentation at Side Event on FaidherbiaApril 16, 2015

Bingu International Conference Center

Situation in Malawi before the 1980s

• Opportunistic use by farmers in areas where it was found naturally

• No research on Faidherbia or agroforestry in Malawi

• Little or no promotion of planting or natural regeneration by Govt, NGOs or projects

• Areas with Faidherbia were dominated by large trees at low densities

Changes in last 25+ years from research and extension

• Assessments of crop yields and soils under and away from tree canopies in different ecological zones (various studies)

• Studies of root system and value of pods as a dry season feed supplement .

• Production & distribution of field manuals and extension / training materials (e.g. Land Care Practices in Malawi by Bunderson, Hayes, Jere & Phombeya 2000)

Changes in last 25+ years …continued• Methods to improve germination, growth and survival

(Bunderson et al 2000):– Promoting natural regeneration (survivors reflect the

fittest of the population with well established root systems and fast growth)

– Seed treatment by nicking seed coat– Air pruning to minimize damage to root system– Proper timing & techniques of outplanting & management– Tree spacing of 10 x 10 m, thinned as trees grow (offers

quicker & uniform impact, allows selection of best seedlings & provides fuel/timber from thinned trees)

– Management to facilitate cultivation (trimming/spacing)

• Increased knowledge through training of extension staff

• Educational awareness about FA through the media (radio TV, newspapers) to promote planting & natural regeneration

• Participatory extension approaches with farm communities to identify & understand farmer challenges and needs

• Integration of FA in village nurseries based on high demands by farmers, even in areas where the tree is endemic

• Extension services to ensure proper outplanting/management (timing, pitting, planting, spacing, trimming of lateral branches, protection from animals/fire)

• Improved FA seed supply through LRC.

Overall Results: Much higher density of young regenerating trees on farmland, but establishment, growth and survival of planted trees remained low – see new strategy below

Value of Faidherbia for Livestock

• Pods and leaves of Faidherbia are valuable feed for animals

• Large Faidherbia trees drop 1-2 tons/ha of nutritious pods during dry season when forage quality and quantity are limited

• Livestock also browse on Faidherbia leaves

Proximate analysis composition and dry matter digestibility of FA pods

Component % Dry matter digestibility 46.6Crude protein 10.1Crude fiber 25.4Ether extract 1.1Ash 5.1Nitrogen free extract 58.9Calcium 0.6Phosphorus 0.1Sodium 0.1Potassium 1.6Ca/P ratio 6

Weight gain of sheep fed FA pods as a dry season supplement for 8 wks to wetland grazing

Biomass Litter and Nutrient Contributions from Mature Trees (kg)

• Biomass components Per Tree Per Ha at 20 trees/ha

Leaves: 221 4420Pods: 78 1560Wood (twigs/branches): 59 1180

• Nutrients contributedN 6.5 130P 0.6 12K 9.3 186Ca 5.4 108Mg 0.6 12

Studies on FA roots Prolific nodulation among fine roots.Trees had many fine roots close to the tree base -2m Of the roots examined, no root grew beyond the

canopy of the trees. The longest root excavated was 16m (horizontal length)

Roots of mature trees are found at depths of more than 80 cm (limits competition with young crops)

Lateral roots grow horizontally to the edge of the canopy then turn vertical downwards; (increased and better access to soil nutrients and moisture)

Individual Faidherbia albida tree root at Chikomba village in Malawi

Ground water nitrate analysisDetails Location of Well

Mtakataka Mvumo Chikomba

Depth of well (m) 16.1 12.0 12.0

Initial water table depth (m) 11.35 6.00 3.96

Last water table depth (m) 14.95 7.20 7.70

Drop in water table (m) 3.60 1.20 3.80

Maximum mineral N (mgl⁻¹) 7.00 3.30 3.00

Proximity of well to FA tree 1 km Under tree Under tree

¹⁵N of F. albida and non fixing reference trees and the proportion of total N in leaves of F. albida trees derived from dinitrogen fixation, estimated at different location in Malawi.

Location ¹⁵ N Ref. Tree ¹⁵ N F. albida N₂ fixation

Luwimbi 9.19 3.68 0.52

Chikaola 9.81 4.96 0.43

Chikomba 5.96 3.60 0.32

Emfeni 7.80 3.74 0.44

Golomoti 9.07 5.04 0.38

Kasinje 8.73 4.63 0.40

Quantity of F. albida seeds (kg) sold to partners from 2006 to 2014

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 20140

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

5000

Qty (kg)

Actions by Total LandCare• Increased awareness across all sectors and donors to support

the integration of Faidheria albida with farming

• Production and distribution of extension and training materials for use by practitioners and farmers

• Development of simple measures for farmers / villagers to produce and plant healthy seedlings

• Promotion of natural regeneration with communities using different media

• Collaboration with Government Agencies, NGOs, Projects, International Centers

• Integration with Conservation Agriculture to increase survival rates and growth for increased effectiveness and impact

Production of Healthy Seedlings

Healthy Faidherbia seedlings: Simple methods to improve germination, growth and survival

Nicking the seed is easy to ensure fast and uniform germination

5 10 150%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

None

Nick

65oC 10'

soak 24 hrs

Nick + soak 24 hrs

Days after sowing

% G

erm

inati

on

Village nursery on platform for air pruning to minimize damage to the root system

Airpruned vs. Standard Seedlings

Seedling Height (cm)

Standard Seedlings

Airpruned Seedlings

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

36%

86%

19%

10 wks after outplanting20 wks after outplanting

Seedling Survival %

Standard Seedlings

Airpruned Seedlings

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

12

25

18

40

10 wks after outplanting20 wks after outplanting

Conclusion

• Research and extension conducted after the 1980’s has helped to better understand the behavior and benefits of FA trees and its eventual systematic integration into the farming system.

• Thanks for your Attention!