Carbon stocks in different soil types under diverse rainfed production systems in tropical India

Srinivasarao, C and Vittal, K R R and Venkateswarlu, B and Wani, S P and Sahrawat, K L and Marimuthu, S and Kundu, S (2009) Carbon stocks in different soil types under diverse rainfed production systems in tropical India. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 40 (15). pp. 2338-2356. ISSN 0010-3624

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Abstract

Soil carbon (C) pool plays a crucial role in the soil's quality, availability of plant nutrients, environmental functions, and global C cycle. Drylands generally have poor fertility and little organic matter and hence are candidates for C sequestration. Carbon storage in the soil profile not only improves fertility but also abates global warming. Several soils, production, and management factors influence C sequestration, and it is important to identify production and management factors that enhance C sequestrations in dryland soils. The objective of the present study was to examine C stocks at 21 sites under ongoing rainfed production systems and management regimes over the last 25 years on dominant soil types, covering a range of climatic conditions in India. Organic C stocks in the soil profiles across the country showed wide variations and followed the order Vertisols > Inceptisols > Alfisols > Aridisols. Inorganic C and total C stocks were larger in Vertisols than in other soil types. Soil organic C stocks decreased with depth in the profile, whereas inorganic C stocks increased with depth. Among the production systems, soybean-, maize-, and groundnut-based systems showed greater organic C stocks than other production systems. However, the greatest contribution of organic C to total C stock was under upland rice system. Organic C stocks in the surface layer of the soils increased with rainfall (r=0.59*), whereas inorganic C stocks in soils were found in the regions with less than 550 mm annual rainfall. Cation exchange capacity had better correlation with organic C stocks than clay content in soils. Results suggest that Indian dryland soils are low in organic C but have potential to sequester. Further potential of tropical soils to sequester more C in soil could be harnessed by identifying appropriate production systems and management practices for sustainable development and improved livelihoods in the tropics.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Subjects:	Others > Agriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics
Depositing User:	Library ICRISAT
Date Deposited:	20 Aug 2011 07:05
Last Modified:	20 Aug 2011 07:05
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/360
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00103620903111277
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement:	The authors are thankful to the in-charges of All India Coordinated Research Project on Dryland Agriculture (AICRPDA) centers and other staff for helping with profile-based soil sampling.
Links:	Author

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