G-Journal of Environmental Science and Technology (Dec 2017)
Growth, Biomass and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Different Poplar (Populus deltoides Bartr.) clones in Agroforestry System with Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Varieties in tarai belt of Uttarakhand
Abstract
For two years, field experiments were carried out at Agro-Forestry Research Center of G.B.P.U.A. & T., Pantnagar, Uttarakhand (29°N Latitude, 79°30’ E longitude and at an altitude of 243.84 msl) during 2013-14 and 2014-15, to study the growth, biomass and carbon sequestration potentials of poplar clones in association with different wheat varieties in a sandy loam soil. The soil of the experimental site contained 1.175% of organic carbon, 259, 20 and 195 kg/ha available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, respectively. The soil was almost neutral in reaction (pH 8.2). The study was laid in split plot with poplar tree clones viz., S7C8, G-48, W-39 and Kranti in main plots and wheat varieties viz., DBW-17, PBW-502, UP-2748 and HD-2967 in sub-plots. Poplar trees were planted at spacing of 7.0m x 3.0m. Poplar clones S7C8 in 2013-14 and Kranti in 2014-15 recorded higher values of diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height than clones W-39 and G-48. Wheat variety DBW-17 exhibited higher values of poplar growth than varieties PBW-502 and UP-2748. In 2013-14 clone S7C8 recorded the highest values of different components of trees biomass. In 2014-15, clone Kranti produced significantly higher stem, roots and total biomass than clones G-48 and W-39. The total carbon sequestered by the agroforestry system during both the years, was the highest with the clone Kranti (57.14 t/ha in 2013-14 and 65.69 t/ha in 2014-15). In 2014-15, the total carbon sequestered by clone Kranti was significantly higher than other clones. The total carbon sequestered by the agroforestry system was the lowest with the clone G-48. Except carbon stock in wheat plant biomass, wheat varieties did not affect the poplar growth, biomass and carbon stock of the agroforestry system significantly. Wheat variety DBW-17 in 2013-14 and HD-2967 in 2014-15 recorded the highest amount of carbon in plant biomass.
