Carbon Sequestering Potential of Arid Soils and Their Characterization in Southern Deccan Plateau for Climate-Smart Agriculture

Carbon sequestration is pivotal in climate change mitigation and environmental sustainability. A study was attempted on estimating the carbon sequestering potential of arid soils of Southern India. Based on landform, land use, slope and soil variability, seven typical pedons representing the arid region of the Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, were studied for their carbon sequestering potential and their morphological, physical and chemical properties. The arid soils were very shallow (<25 cm) to very deep (>150 cm) in-depth and slightly acidic (pH 6.24) to moderately alkaline (pH 8.50) in reaction. The soils were loamy sand to sandy clay loam in texture, sub-angular blocky in structure, reddish-brown to dark red, low to high in organic carbon content (0.14%–1.49%), low Available Water Content (3.42%–15.6%), and low to medium in cation exchange capacity (5.90–25.96 cmol (p+) kg⁻¹) and high base saturation (85%–100%), respectively. Carbon sequestering potential of arid soils was estimated in terms of total cumulative organic carbon stocks and CO₂ equivalent which were varied from 6 to 82.2 t ha⁻¹, and from 22 to 302 t ha⁻¹, respectively. Although, increasing soil carbon stock in arid soils is a big challenge, soil conservation practices like mulching, incorporation of crop residue, intercropping, conservation agriculture, crop rotation, integrated crop-livestock management, agroforestry, improved grazing and improved water management can enhance the carbon sequestering potential of the arid soils.