Species site matching of highland bamboo (Oldeania alpina) in Ethiopia

Highland bamboo (Oldeania alpina) is fast growing perennial plant that occurs as small holder plantation and naturally in the highlands of Ethiopia with a wide range of values and uses. This study assessed environmental conditions where the species grows, and related the sites-suitability information to other potential regions in Ethiopia. Field survey was conducted to Oldeania alpina growing areas in Ethiopia. Data were collected on dendrometric and environmental variables from field plots of 400 m(2) of bamboo stands in three replications in each of the study districts in the regions. Consultations were also held with key informants, women, youth and elder focus group discussants on the common uses and production constraints of the species. The study identified wider uses of the species from being raw material for household utensils, furniture, fencing to building local houses in Ethiopia. Observations indicate that Oldeania alpina grows in the south, south-western, central and north-western highlands of Ethiopia at altitudes ranging from 2200 to 4000 m.a.s.l. It grows rapidly, where after planting from offset, starts to yield useable culm within three to four years. The species growing sites characteristics in the present study indicated that it’s well performing in the altitudinal range between 2387 and 2979 m.a.s.l. We recommend promoting highland bamboo in Ethiopia for better culm yield on sites with elevation from 2300 up to 3500 m.a.s.l with mean annual rainfall >1200 mm, temperature varying from min. 6 °C to max. 30 °C and slope from 0 to 60% to attain optimum growth across the country.