Faidherbia albida trees provide important benefits to farmers and livestock in Malawi. Research since the 1980s has shown that F. albida fixes nitrogen, improves soil fertility under its canopy, and drops nutrient-rich pods for dry season livestock grazing. Studies also found techniques to improve F. albida seedling survival like nicking seeds, air pruning roots, and proper spacing. As a result of promotion efforts by the government and NGOs, more farmers are planting and regenerating F. albida on their land, increasing tree density and the trees' positive impacts.

1. Characteristics, Uses and Promotion
of Faidherbia albida in Malawi
Henry Phombeya, Land Resource Center
&
Trent Bunderson, Total Land Care
Presentation at Side Event on Faidherbia
April 16, 2015
Bingu International Conference Center

2. Situation in Malawi before the
1980s
• Opportunistic use by farmers in areas where
it was found naturally
• No research on Faidherbia or agroforestry in
Malawi
• Little or no promotion of planting or natural
regeneration by Govt, NGOs or projects
• Areas with Faidherbia were dominated by
large trees at low densities

3. Changes in last 25+ years from research
and extension
• Assessments of crop yields and soils under and
away from tree canopies in different ecological
zones (various studies)
• Studies of root system and value of pods as a dry
season feed supplement .
• Production & distribution of field manuals and
extension / training materials (e.g. Land Care
Practices in Malawi by Bunderson, Hayes, Jere &
Phombeya 2000)

4. Changes in last 25+ years …continued
• Methods to improve germination, growth and survival
(Bunderson et al 2000):
– Promoting natural regeneration (survivors reflect the
fittest of the population with well established root systems
and fast growth)
– Seed treatment by nicking seed coat
– Air pruning to minimize damage to root system
– Proper timing & techniques of outplanting & management
– Tree spacing of 10 x 10 m, thinned as trees grow (offers
quicker & uniform impact, allows selection of best
seedlings & provides fuel/timber from thinned trees)
– Management to facilitate cultivation (trimming/spacing)

5. • Increased knowledge through training of extension staff
• Educational awareness about FA through the media (radio
TV, newspapers) to promote planting & natural regeneration
• Participatory extension approaches with farm communities
to identify & understand farmer challenges and needs
• Integration of FA in village nurseries based on high demands
by farmers, even in areas where the tree is endemic
• Extension services to ensure proper
outplanting/management (timing, pitting, planting, spacing,
trimming of lateral branches, protection from animals/fire)
• Improved FA seed supply through LRC.
Overall Results: Much higher density of young regenerating
trees on farmland, but establishment, growth and survival
of planted trees remained low – see new strategy below

6. Value of Faidherbia for Livestock
• Pods and leaves of Faidherbia are valuable feed
for animals
• Large Faidherbia trees drop 1-2 tons/ha of
nutritious pods during dry season when forage
quality and quantity are limited
• Livestock also browse on Faidherbia leaves

7. Proximate analysis composition and dry
matter digestibility of FA pods
Component %
Dry matter digestibility 46.6
Crude protein 10.1
Crude fiber 25.4
Ether extract 1.1
Ash 5.1
Nitrogen free extract 58.9
Calcium 0.6
Phosphorus 0.1
Sodium 0.1
Potassium 1.6
Ca/P ratio 6

8. Weight gain of sheep fed FA pods as a dry
season supplement for 8 wks to wetland grazing

9. Biomass Litter and Nutrient Contributions
from Mature Trees (kg)
• Biomass components Per Tree
Per Ha at 20
trees/ha
Leaves: 221 4420
Pods: 78 1560
Wood (twigs/branches): 59 1180
• Nutrients contributed
N 6.5 130
P 0.6 12
K 9.3 186
Ca 5.4 108
Mg 0.6 12

10. Studies on FA roots
Prolific nodulation among fine roots.
Trees had many fine roots close to the tree base -2m
Of the roots examined, no root grew beyond the
canopy of the trees. The longest root excavated was
16m (horizontal length)
Roots of mature trees are found at depths of more
than 80 cm (limits competition with young crops)
Lateral roots grow horizontally to the edge of the
canopy then turn vertical downwards; (increased and
better access to soil nutrients and moisture)

11. Individual Faidherbia albida tree root
at Chikomba village in Malawi

12. Ground water nitrate analysis
Details Location of Well
Mtakataka Mvumo Chikomba
Depth of well (m) 16.1 12.0 12.0
Initial water table depth (m) 11.35 6.00 3.96
Last water table depth (m) 14.95 7.20 7.70
Drop in water table (m) 3.60 1.20 3.80
Maximum mineral N (mgl⁻¹) 7.00 3.30 3.00
Proximity of well to FA tree 1 km Under tree Under tree

13. ¹⁵N of F. albida and non fixing reference trees and the proportion of
total N in leaves of F. albida trees derived from dinitrogen fixation,
estimated at different location in Malawi.
Location ¹⁵ N Ref. Tree ¹⁵ N F. albida N₂ fixation
Luwimbi 9.19 3.68 0.52
Chikaola 9.81 4.96 0.43
Chikomba 5.96 3.60 0.32
Emfeni 7.80 3.74 0.44
Golomoti 9.07 5.04 0.38
Kasinje 8.73 4.63 0.40

14. Quantity of F. albida seeds (kg) sold to
partners from 2006 to 2014
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Qty (kg)

15. Actions by Total LandCare
• Increased awareness across all sectors and donors to support
the integration of Faidheria albida with farming
• Production and distribution of extension and training
materials for use by practitioners and farmers
• Development of simple measures for farmers / villagers to
produce and plant healthy seedlings
• Promotion of natural regeneration with communities using
different media
• Collaboration with Government Agencies, NGOs, Projects,
International Centers
• Integration with Conservation Agriculture to increase survival
rates and growth for increased effectiveness and impact

16. Production of Healthy Seedlings

17. Healthy Faidherbia seedlings:
Simple methods to improve germination, growth and survival
Nicking the seed is easy to ensure fast and uniform germination
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
5 10 15
%Germination
Days after sowing
None
Nick
65oC 10'
soak 24 hrs
Nick + soak 24
hrs

18. Village nursery on platform for air pruning to
minimize damage to the root system

19. Airpruned vs. Standard Seedlings
Seedling Height (cm)
36%
86%
19%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Standard
Seedlings
Airpruned
Seedlings
10 wks after outplanting
20 wks after outplanting
Seedling Survival %
12
25
18
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Standard
Seedlings
Airpruned
Seedlings
10 wks after outplanting
20 wks after outplanting

20. Conclusion
• Research and extension conducted after the
1980’s has helped to better understand the
behavior and benefits of FA trees and its
eventual systematic integration into the
farming system.
• Thanks for your Attention!