Dynamics of biomass and soil carbon sequestration across an age-sequence of Lawsonia inermis plantation in semi-arid Region, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Lawsonia inermis L. (Henna) is a perennial shrub cultivated as a ratoon crop in the hot semi-arid regions of India mainly for its dye-containing leaves. Considering its perennial nature, it was hypothesized that Henna plantation may sequester carbon and severe shoot pruning may affect the distribution of carbon in the above and belowground biomass. Therefore, biomass and soil carbon stock in an age-sequence of 2-, 13-, 21- and 56-year old Henna plantation was quantified to study the dynamics and patterns of carbon accumulation. The study was undertaken at ICAR- Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Pali, Rajasthan during 2017–18. Biomass and soil carbon stock significantly increased with the age of the plantation. While shoot pruning and plant populations significantly affected the distribution of carbon in the above ground and belowground biomass as well as in the soil. Within the plant system, belowground biomass stored more carbon as compared to aboveground biomass whereas, within the soil, carbon stock was higher in the lower soil layer (15–45 cm) as compared to the surface soil layer (0–15 cm). The 2-, 13-, 21- and 56-year old plantation stored about 1.60±0.44, 10.13±1.28, 10.14±1.02 and 11.42±2.50 mg biomass-C per ha respectively, with a higher rate of sequestration during early stages of the plantation.

Keywords

• Allometric equation, Biomass, Carbon stock, Ratooning, Shoot pruning