Species-Site Suitability Matching Study of Introduced Bamboos in Ethiopia

In view of broadening the genetic base of bamboo resources and looking for alternative bamboo species that can grow in mid altitude areas where indigenous species are not growing in Ethiopia, different introduced bamboo species were tested for their adaptability and growth performance in different areas across the country. Data on ecological and climatic conditions of testing sites and corresponding growth in terms of diameter, height and density of the species were assessed; growth in Ethiopia was compared with growth of the species in their place of origin, i.e. South, Southeast and Tropical Asia. Accordingly, Dendrocalamus asper, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Bambusa vulgaris and Dendrocalamus giganteus were found to have similar diameter and height growth while Dendrocalamus membranaceus showed lower values in Ethiopia when compared to growth in its origin. The species-site matching effort of the species within Ethiopia in this regard, is conducted based on similarity in altitude and climatic conditions (rainfall, temperature) of experimental sites to other sites across the country. All the species, except B. bambos, perform well in Oromia, Amhara, SNNP and Tigray regions. All species, except D. gigantues. B. balcoa and B.bambos performed well in Benishangul-Gumuz region. Research on adaptability study needs to be extended in other regions of Ethiopia.