Study on Coppice Management of Acacia nilotica Tree for Better Woody Biomass Production

Abstract: Over 90 % of the energy consumed in the country is depending on woody biomass. The rising demand for tree products and expanding population pressure resulted in decline of forest cover and consequently the demand for tree products exceeded the supply. This study was conducted at Armania Kebele with the aim of to evaluate different cutting time and management practices yielding more wood biomass volume. One indigenous tree species, preferable by the farmers, namely Acacia nilotica was selected and the experiment design in 3x4 factorial experiment with randomized complete block design arrangement and replicated three wise. Eight trees per plot were planted in two rows with 2 meter spacing. The result shows that, Acacia nilotica could be coppiced well with 13 to 29 numbers of coppices per stump at all stages of cutting time. Root collar diameter and plant height were highly correlated with growth period. Hence, Leaving of two and three number of coppices could give higher woody biomass volumes as compare to leaving one and all number of coppices and control (uncut). Therefore it is necessary that farmers should allow two and three number coppice per stump to get high woody biomass volume for fuel-wood consumption