s:1656:"%T Contrasting water use patterns of two agroforestry tree species in Mt. Elgon region of Uganda: Implication on management 
%A Buyinza J 
%A Muthuri C 
%A Downey A 
%A Njoroge J 
%A Denton M 
%A Nuberg I 
%X Knowledge of tree water use can inform water requirements of interacting components and best bet management options for farmers. The objective of the study was to assess the daily water use patterns of mature Cordia africana and Albizia coriaria trees at different times of the year. This study deployed 6 sapflow meters on stems of 3 selected trees each of C. africana and A. coriaria. We measured the daily sapflow of these two species using the heat ratio method (HRM). The two species show contrasting patterns of seasonal water use across leaf shedding stages characterized by episodes of reverse flow in A. coriaria. This is an indication that the two species may have different water-use strategies. C. africana generally used 12% more water than A. coriaria on a standardized daily basis. There was a significant main effect of the interaction between tree species and season on daily water use. The consistent and predictable leaf fall in A. coriaria may be beneficial for planning farming activities among smallholders. This knowledge is useful in facilitating development of appropriate tree management regimes for optimal utilization of soil water. Managing on-farm trees can be a powerful means of controlling tree water use in agroforestry system. For example, canopy pruning can reduce the water demand of the tree component and may result in recharge in the croprooting zone, while prolonging the period of intercropping. 
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