Pre-dispersal seed predation of Faidherbia albida in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia

Faidherbia albida is an indigenous tree species in Ethiopia and utilized by farmers in various ways. It is an ideal agroforestry tree in several tropical countries. Pre-dispersal seed predation of F. albida was investigated in the central Rift Valley of Ethiopia, Awassa. The objective of the study was to identify seed predators associated with F. albida and determine the level of damage exerted on seed germination. Matured pods of non-burst seeds were collected and used for collecting seed predators. Furthermore, seeds from these pods were collected, categorized into infested and non-infested seeds, and allowed to germinate under different treatments. Both Bruchidius cadei n.sp. and Bruchidius auratopubens n.sp. emerged from seeds of F. albida. These bruchids infested about 27 % of seeds. Predation and subsequent fungal infestation had reduced the seed viability and performance of seed germination among infested seeds. Therefore, these predators have practical implications because of their negative contribution to the regeneration of F. albida trees across growing regions.