Carbon sequestration potential under tea based cropping system

Abstract

Aim: To study the carbon sequestration process in tea based plantation system and to identify more potential carbon sequestration system amongst the tea based cropping system by studying carbon storage in different components of the plantation system. Methodology: The experiment was carried out in the Experimental Garden for Plantation Crops of Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam. Treatments were made in an on going, long term shade experiment on mature tea bushes, adapted to three levels of shades viz. tea as monoculture; Tea based cropping system with Areca palm and Tea with Albizzia odoratissima. Results: Among different tea plantations, tea-albizzia recorded superior performance, followed by tea-areca palm plantation in respect to biomass accumulation and carbon sequestration. Similarly, higher carbon stock was found in tea-albizzia plantations along with other physiological and edaphic parameters related to carbon sequestration attributed to an increase in carbon stock. Interpretation: Tea-albizzia plantation system has maximum potential for carbon offsetting from the atmosphere as well as carbon storage both above and below ground in the plantation ecosystem which might be helpful for future carbon management and economy as a whole.