Evaluation of carbon sequestration potentials of tree species planted in different planting methods in non-arable lands of northern dry zone of Karnataka

A field experiment was carried out at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Bijapur (Karnataka) during 2004 to 2011 to evaluate the carbon sequestration potentials of four different tree species planted in four different planting methods in non-arable land of northern dry zone of Karnataka. Results of the study indicated that crescent method of planting recorded highest plant growth during 4th, 5th and 6th year of planting which was overtaken by pit method during 7th year. The total biomass production (11.38, 23.38 and 36.88 t/ha) and amount of above ground carbon sequestration (5.69, 11.69 and 18.44 t/ha) during 4th, 5th and 6th year, respectively, was highest in crescent method. But during 7th year of planting, pit method recorded highest biomass (46.62 t/ha) and carbon sequestration (26.34 t/ha). Among the species, Dalbergia sissoo recorded the highest biomass (20.50, 38.16, 54.71 and 81.06 t/ha) and carbon sequestration (10.25, 19.08, 27.36 and 40.23 t/ha), respectively, during 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th year of planting followed by Azadirachta indica. Hence, D. sissoo in crescent method of planting followed by pit method was most suitable for non-arable lands of northern dry zone of Karnataka under rainfed situation with higher potentials of carbon trading.