Performance Evaluation of Growth and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Pongamia [Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre] Germplasms

Abstract

Agroforestry has emerged as a powerful land management practise to address the shrinking land holdings, size and reduced productivity of the land with improved ecosystem services. In recent decades, evaluation of the germplasms, particularly in Agroforestry systems is gaining a lot of importance in tree improvement programmes. The genetic section involves the selection of desired attributes, such as stress tolerance, increased wood properties, pest & disease resistance, etc. Pongamia based agroforestry system not only helps to mitigate climate change, but it will also have a significant share in the global biofuel production. The study was conducted in the ‘M’ block of AICRP on Agroforestry unit, ZARS, UAS, GKVK, Bangalore, during January 2022 to June 2022. The objective of this study is to compare the growth parameters (tree height, stem diameter and crown width in East-West & North-South directions) and carbon sequestration potential of eight Pongamia germplasms to identify the most productive genotype. These eight germplasms are established in 5 x 5 spacing of RCBD design in three replications. The results revealed that RAK-2015-10 performed better for height growth, stem diameter and crown spread (East-West and North-South directions) compared to other germplasms. Since the tree height and stem diameter positively correlate with volume and biomass accumulation, RAK-2015-10 has recorded the maximum volume and biomass accumulation among the other germplasms. .The findings suggest that the cultivation of RAK-2015-10 can improve yield significantly and helps to mitigate climate change.