Crop production and carbon sequestration at fresh and replanted poplar (Populus deltoides Bartr. Ex. Marsh.) sites

Agroforestry is a viable alternative of growing crops along with trees to meet the industrial timber requirements in Punjab along with a key area in the domain of environmental services through carbon sequestration. Present study evaluated three systems i.e. poplar sole plantation, inter-cultivation of turmeric on fresh and replanted sites with added pruning material and sole turmeric crop as control. Sole cropping of turmeric resulted in significantly higher total fresh rhizome yield and number of fingerlets than raised under poplar trees. On the other hand, crop parameter like plant height was higher under poplar trees than in open condition. Better poplar tree performance (tree height, diameter at breast height and collar diameter) was recorded on fresh site as compared to replanted site. Trees recorded better growth in poplar+turmeric intercropping system as compared to sole poplar plantation. Addition of pruning material played no major role in growth parameters of poplar. Total carbon storage in soil and tree biomass was recorded more in poplar+turmeric combinations than in poplar plantations devoid of inter-cultivation.