Effect of Plantation Tree Species with Varied Cropping Systems on Depth Wise Rate of Soil Carbon Sequestration and Soil Chemical Properties in Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Litterfall and root turnover from trees enrich the organic material and nutrient content of soil beneath the trees. The influence of seven different cropping systems with tree species was evaluated on pH, EC, CEC, OC and carbon sequestration. Soil sampling was done on GPS basis investigation area of the agro-forestry farm to assess the effect of plantations of tree species and cropping systems on soil carbon sequestration. One hundred twenty representative soil samples from the five soil depths viz. 0-15, 15-30, 30-60, 60-90 & 90-120 cm, soil samples were collect from 17 years olderCasuarina + Guava + Turmeric, Casuarina + Paddy + Wheat, Shisham, Shisham + Peragrass, Shisham + Mustard, Shisham + Paddy + Wheat, Eucalyptusin plots of Forestry farm have been collected during August-September, 2019, from ANDUA&T, Narendra Nagar, Kumarganj, Ayodhya Uttar Pradesh, India. The initial condition of research area considered as control. The soil samples were analyzed with following the standard procedures. Among the investigation plots of the farm, the maximum buildup of carbon sequestration was found in the plantation of Casuarina+ Guava+ Turmeric followed by Casuarina+ Paddy+ Wheat, Shisham+ Paddy+ Wheat. The minimum buildup of carbon sequestration was found plantation with Eucalyptus. Soil organic carbon decreased with increase in deepness irrespective of tree species. The chemical properties the pH from 7.85-10.40, E.C ranged from 0.15 – 4.97 dSm-1, organic carbon ranged from 2.07- 6.81 gkg-1 and CEC ranged from 9.50- 30.03 cmol(p+)kg-1. Soil carbon sequestration was ranged from 0.20-0.32 tonne ha-1 year-1. Soil organic carbon decreased with increase in depth and soil pH, EC and CEC increase with decreased in depth irrespective of tree species. Therefore, the tree plantations can improve the physico-chemical properties of the soil profile.