Soil Carbon Dynamics, Sequestration and Productivity of Predominant Cropping Systems under Long Term (9 years) Inorganic and Organic Fertilization in Semi-Arid Deccan Plateau, India

G. Kiran Reddy *

AICRP on Integrated Farming Systems, Professor Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

S. Sridevi

Agricultural Polytechnic, PJTSAU, Tornala, Siddipet, Telangana, India.

M. Goverdhan

RARS, Palem, India.

M. Venkataramana

AICRP on Integrated Farming Systems, Professor Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

Ch Pragathi Kumari

AICRP on Integrated Farming Systems, Professor Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

Md Latheef Pasha

Water Technology Centre, PJTSAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

M. Santhosh Kumar

AICRP on Integrated Farming Systems, Professor Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

G. Vinay

AICRP on Integrated Farming Systems, Professor Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

Soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration in agricultural soils is one of major agricultural strategies to mitigate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as it is a potential sink for atmosphere carbon. Cropping systems and management practices adopted will affect the SOC sequestration. Dynamics of SOC is very important for understanding the pathways of C stabilization into different SOC pools. An attempt was made to assess the importance of different cropping systems on C sequestration and its stabilization in a 9 year old experiment at PJTSAU, Hyderabad, India. In comparison to initial TOC, cropping system perennial super napier fodder showed greater C build up (46.5%) followed by maize intercropped with pigeonpea followed by sunhemp (23.1%). In fact, all the cropping systems there were net increases in TOC. There was only 6.86% of C applied through various sources was stabilized as SOC. A minimal input of 1.24 Mg C ha-1 yr-1 is needed to maintain SOC level. Cropping system perennial super napier fodder showed a higher carbon management index (145.9), sustainable yield index (64.1), BC ratio (16.99) and least amount is required to sequester the kg of carbon to soil (Rs. 59).

Keywords: Cropping systems, SOC pool, TOC, C sequestration, critical carbon input, cost of carbon sequestration, sustainable yield index, carbon management index


How to Cite

Reddy, G. Kiran, S. Sridevi, M. Goverdhan, M. Venkataramana, Ch Pragathi Kumari, Md Latheef Pasha, M. Santhosh Kumar, and G. Vinay. 2022. “Soil Carbon Dynamics, Sequestration and Productivity of Predominant Cropping Systems under Long Term (9 Years) Inorganic and Organic Fertilization in Semi-Arid Deccan Plateau, India”. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science 34 (8):1-9. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijpss/2022/v34i830893.