Authors:Yigardu Mulatu; Masresha Fetene
Abstract:A study on the rhizome morphology, growth and biomass of four Arundinaria alpina landraces was made in the Choke Mountain, northwestern Ethiopia. Three 10 m x 10 m sample plots were randomly selected from each landrace from a church forest of age >50 years. A total of 72 plants, six plants from each plot, were used to characterize the morphology and develop biomass functions. The result indicated that the rhizome proper of all landraces was nearly vertically positioned and exhibits sympodial branching pattern. Landraces showed statistically significant difference in rhizome neck length (mean value 8.5 - 17.3 cm), diameter and number of internodes of the rhizome neck and of the rhizome proper. Number of plants per hectare of the landraces was also significantly different with mean values ranging from 11,467 - 15,800. Average values of diameter and height of culms of the landraces ranged from 3.7–5.3 cm and 7–11 m, respectively. The highest biomass per ha of the landraces was estimated at 74 t ha-1. Higher stand density associated with shorter rhizome neck and emerging height might contribute to higher shoot mortality rate but also to higher biomass in the high biomass yielding landrace
Keywords:Afro-alpine, mortality, rhizome, stand structure, Yushania alpina