Carbon sequestration and land rehabilitation through Jatropha curcas (L.) plantation in degraded lands

Wani, S P and Chander, G and Sahrawat, K L and Srinivasa Rao, Ch and Raghvendra, G and Susanna, P and Pavani, M (2012) Carbon sequestration and land rehabilitation through Jatropha curcas (L.) plantation in degraded lands. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 161. pp. 112-120. ISSN 0167-8809

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Abstract

The effects of growing Jatropha in on-farm and on-station degraded lands were evaluated on carbon (C) sequestration and soil properties. Jatropha accumulated and added to soil significant amounts of C (305 kg ha−1 year−1) from the year one itself. Overall, a 3–5-year old plantation added per year around 4000 kg plant biomass equivalent to 1450 kg C ha−1 – 800 kg C through leaves, 150 kg C through pruned twigs, and 495 kg C as deoiled Jatropha cake. Biodiesel C replacement in the fossil fuel was 230 kg ha−1. Besides adding biomass to the soil, and C replacement in fossil fuel; the standing Jatropha rendered ecosystem service by fixing 5100–6100 kg ha−1 C as the aboveground plus belowground biomass. Carbon additions by Jatropha during 4 years increased C content in the degraded surface soil layer by 19%, resulting in about 2500 kg ha−1 C sequestered. Huge C additions and live root activity under Jatropha increased microbial population, respiration rate and microbial biomass C and N in soil. Along with C additions, 4000 kg ha−1 year−1 plant biomass recycled into the soil 85.5 kg nitrogen, 7.67 kg phosphorus, 43.9 kg potassium, 5.20 kg sulphur, 0.11 kg boron, 0.12 kg zinc and other nutrients. The C additions improved water holding capacity of the soil under Jatropha as compared with the adjacent control soil which increased by 35% at 30 kPa and 21% at 1500 kPa soil water potential.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Biofuel, Carbon sequestration, Degraded lands, Jatropha, Land rehabilitation, Nutrient recycling.
Subjects:	Others > Land Degradation Others > Agriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics Others > Jatropha
Depositing User:	Mr Siva Shankar
Date Deposited:	23 Aug 2012 03:15
Last Modified:	23 Aug 2012 03:32
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/6091
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2012.07.028
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	Government of Andhra Pradesh - RSADP, Government of India - NOVOD, International Fund for Agriculture Development
Acknowledgement:	The support from Rain Shadow Area Development Program (RSADP), Government of Andhra Pradesh; National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development Board (NOVOD), New Delhi, Government of India and International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), Rome, Italy in carrying out the present study is gratefully acknowledged.
Links:	Author

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