Abstract:
Eucalyptus globulus is a long and evergreen tree, which belongs to the family of flowering plants known as Myrtaceae. In Ethiopia, this tree was introduced during the reign of Emperor Menilek II (1868-1907) in 1894/95. It is a popular and exotic tree species in Ethiopia. The impact of Eucalyptus tree plantations on soil resources has been very much debated. This research aimed to assess the effect of Eucalyptus globulus on selected soil physicochemical properties and farmers’ perception towards Eucalyptus tree plantation in Ganda Ya’i Cabo, Ambo District, West Shewa Zone, Oromia region of Ethiopia. The research design of this study comprises both experimental and surveying design. Two land use types, namely, land with E. globulus plantation (Eucalyptus woodlot) and its adjacent none Eucalyptus (cropland) were purposely selected. From the total households of the Ganda Ya’i Cabo 81 households were selected by none non-probability sampling, purposely sampling method. According to this research about 93.8% of respondents had an E. globulus plantation on their land. Accordingly, 81.5% of respondents believe that negative effects on soil fertility, 92.6% believe that negative effects on crop production, 100% believe that negative effects on soil water, 64.2% believe that negative effects on soil pH, and 100% feel that beneficial effects on preventing soil erosion. The Soil under the E. globulus plantation had the highest bulk density 1.371 g/cm3 as compared to none E.globulus plantation (crop land) which had 1.234 g/cm3 mean bulk density. The mean moisture contents of soil under Eucalyptus plantation was 5.090 whereas none Eucalyptus (cropland) was 4.081. Soil under Eucalyptus globulus plantation had the highest mean value of EC 34.42, pH 6.67, CEC 20.68, N 0. 25, OC 5.17, OM 8.918, and the lower mean value of P 1.19. In general, this study demonstrates that when the soil under E. globulus plantation is compared to soil under a farmland with no Eucalyptus, there is no statistically significant difference in soil properties. This study, therefore, urges that the farmers in the study to grow E. globulus in separate area (woodlot), far from water sources, degraded land without any hesitation through a well-managed system.
