Carbon Sequestration Potential of Different Provenance of Pongamia pinnata in Central India

Abstract

Pongamia pinnata is commonly known as Karanja is a moderate sized evergreen tree and bark is smooth, gray and thin. Studying about this particular provenance is valuable in various aspects particularly estimating the carbon sequestration potential and extraction of biodiesel from the seed of this tree to be an input for the climate change mitigation activities taking place in India and in the world at large, since climate change is the worldwide issue.It was observed from the result during the 10th year of plantation (2015) different provenances showed the significant influence on the above ground biomass, Significantly maximum above ground biomass (138 kg ha-1) was recorded in provenance T13 (Nagod road, Satna), whereas minimum (410 kg ha-1) was recorded in T21 (Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Seoni).Different provenances observed significant among themselves for carbon sequestration potential at age of ten year old . Significantly maximum carbon sequestration potential (3.39 tons/ha) was recorded in provenance T13 (Nagod road, Satna), whereas minimum carbon sequestration potential (0.97 tons/ha) was recorded in T21 (KVK, Seoni). Carbon sequestration through above mentioned provenances have potential to play important role in ameliorating global environment problems such as atmospheric accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and climate change. Therefore plantation of such superior provenance should be implemented and measures should be taken to protected the sink of carbon and mitigate the greenhouse effect through carbon storage.