Introduction of Growboxx (Groasis Waterboxx) Technology in Conservation of Yicib Plant Species (Cordeauxia edulis)

Abstract

Cordeauxia edulis, commonly known as Yeheb or Yicib, is an endemic tree species in Ethiopia and Somalia. It is a valuable source of food for both humans and animals and possesses drought tolerance and desertification-resistant traits. However, the population of Cordeauxia edulis is rapidly declining due to factors such as overgrazing, habitat fragmentation, overexploitation, and low regeneration rates. To address this issue, the study aimed to conserve and propagate Cordeauxia edulis by introducing a growboxx system. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the optimal growth conditions for Cordeauxia edulis in the growboxx system and assess the survival rate of seedlings propagated using the growboxx compared to another method of direct transplanting. The research was conducted in Bokh, a district in the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia, where Cordeauxia edulis is currently found. The experiment followed a randomized complete block design with three replications. A total of 180 Cordeauxia edulis tree plants were used with a spacing of 2 meters between blocks and 1 meter between plots. The growboxx system, a newly invented technology for dryland areas with erratic rainfall, was utilized to raise the seedlings of Cordeauxia edulis. Data were collected on growth parameters such as plant height, number of leaves and branches, and survival rates within the growboxx system at regular intervals. The collected data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and descriptive statistics, the results indicated that using a growboxx had a significant positive effect on the growth of Cordeauxia edulis. The treatment group with the growboxx showed higher values for all measured parameters, except for average leaf width. This suggests that the use of a growboxx promotes plant growth in terms of height, number of leaves, number of branches, and leaf length. The adoption of the growboxx system in the conservation and propagation of Cordeauxia edulis is recommended based on the positive outcomes observed in this study. The growboxx system provides precise control over the growing environment, protects plants from predators, and allows for cultivation in arid regions with limited water availability. By adopting this system, better growth and survival rates of Cordeauxia edulis seedlings can be achieved, contributing to the conservation efforts of this valuable tree species.