Impact of nitrogen addition on growth and carbon sequestration potential of Syzygium cumini under different carbon dioxide environment conditions

Abstract

Human activities have significantly accelerated emissions of each carbon dioxide and biologically reactive nitrogen into the atmosphere. As nitrogen availability frequently limits forest productivity, it has long been anticipated that anthropogenic nitrogen deposition ought to stimulate carbon sequestration in forests. The present study aimed to understand the effects of nitrogen addition on the growth of the Syzygium cumini in ambient (408 ppm) and elevated (450 ppm, 500 ppm, 550 ppm and 600 ppm) carbon dioxide conditions. The addition of nitrogen in the form of potassium nitrate in different levels (0, 3, 6, 12, & 24 g N m−2) was used in this study. The responses of the plant in terms of growth (shoot length, leaf length and leaf width) were examined. Multiple regression equation was used for the model fit to determine the carbon content. The carbon content was found to be higher in all ambient and elevated CO2 conditions at the nitrogen addition level of 24 g N m−2.