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Carbon storage in relation to soil size-fractions under tropical tree-based land-use systems

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Abstract

The extent of carbon (C) sequestration in soils under agroforestry systems in relation to soil types (fraction sizes) and vegetation structure remains largely unexplored. This study examined soil C storage, an indicator of C sequestration potential, in homegardens (HGs), natural forest, and single-species stands of coconut (Cocos nucifera), rice (Oryza sativa)-paddy, and rubber (Hevea brasiliensis), in Thrissur district, Kerala, India. Soil samples collected from four depth zones up to 1 m were fractionated to three size classes (250 – 2000 µm, 53 – 250 µm,  < 53 µm) and their total C content determined. Total C stock (Mg ha−1) was highest in forests (176.6), followed by managed tree-based systems, and lowest in rice-paddy field (55.6). The results show storage of higher amounts of C in the  < 53 µm fraction, the most stable form of C in soil, up to one- meter depth, in land-use systems with high stand density of trees such as forests and small-sized HG. Although the results do not allow comparison of changes in soil C stock in different land-use systems, they show higher C storage in soils under tree-based land-use systems compared with the treeless (rice-paddy) system, especially in lower soil depths, suggesting the higher soil C sequestration potential of tree-based systems, and thereby their role in reducing atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide.

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Abbreviations

AFS:

Agroforestry systems

CSP:

Carbon sequestration potential

GHG:

Greenhouse gas

HG:

Homegarden

HGL:

Large homegarden

HGS:

Small homegarden

SOC:

Soil organic carbon

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110410, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Subhrajit K. Saha & P. K. Ramachandran Nair

  2. Soil and Water Science Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110510, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Vimala D. Nair

  3. Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala, India

    B. Mohan Kumar

Authors
  1. Subhrajit K. Saha
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  2. P. K. Ramachandran Nair
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  3. Vimala D. Nair
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  4. B. Mohan Kumar
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Correspondence to P. K. Ramachandran Nair.

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Responsible Editor: Klaus Butterbach-Bahl.

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Saha, S.K., Ramachandran Nair, P.K., Nair, V.D. et al. Carbon storage in relation to soil size-fractions under tropical tree-based land-use systems. Plant Soil 328, 433–446 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-009-0123-x

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