Soil Organic Carbon in Three Selected Agroforestry System at Temperate Zone (2000-2800m) of North Western Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Climate change is largely driven by the increased concentration of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere. While halting climate change entirely may not be feasible at this point, mitigating its effects is crucial, and agroforestry is one of the key strategies that can help in this regard and to mitigate some of its consequences by reducing CO₂ in the atmosphere and promoting sustainable land management. Therefore, the objective of this study was to collate and synthesize the existing information on the soil organic carbon with three agroforestry system (viz.Agrihortisystem, Agrihortisilviculture system and Agrisilviculture system ) at temperate region in North Western Himalaya , Uttarakhand, India.The present study was carried out durung the year 2016-2018.Stratified random sampling techniques were used for this study. Ten sample plots (100m2) were randomly laid out in each agroforestry system in temperate zone (2000-2800m) of each developmental block. Soil organic carbon was determined at three different depth 0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm. Soil organic carbon was determined using the Walkley and Black method. Weighing bottle method were used for determining bulk density. The results revealed considerable that SOC of agroforestry systems goes along with the following order: Agrihortisystem (45.72 MgCha-1) >Agrihortisilviculture system (24.99 MgC ha-1) >Agrisilvi culture system (23.79 MgC ha-1) The study concluded that the agrihorticulture system at higher altitudes (2000-2800 m) had a significantly greater soil organic carbon pool. It was suggested that, if necessary, converting agricultural fields to agrihorticulture systems in the Northwestern Himalayas could enhance soil carbon sequestration.