Fruit production and carbon sequestration potential of rainfed apple (Malus x domestica Borkh) under various moisture conservation techniques

An experiment was conducted during 2011–13 on the effect of in-situ moisture conservation techniques for apple productivity and carbon sequestration potential under rainfed condition. Results indicated that mean maximum fruit yield (23.64 kg tree⁻¹ and 14.77 t ha⁻¹) and productivity efficiency (0.221 kg cm⁻² TCSA) were recorded in full moon water harvesting system. Among mulches, plastic mulch performed better in respect to fruit yield (20.55 kg tree⁻¹ and 12.85 t ha⁻¹) and productivity efficiency (0.198 kg cm⁻² TCSA), respectively. Maximum mean soil moisture content was estimated in full moon water harvesting system (12.92%) followed by half moon (12.71%), trench (12.12%), cup and plate (11.36%) and minimum (10.27%) was in control (without water harvesting system). Among mulches, plastic mulch conserved more moisture than organic mulch. The maximum biomass (35.34 Mg ha⁻¹), carbon stocks (16.54 Mg C ha⁻¹), soil carbon storage (31.59 Mg C ha⁻¹) and CO₂ sequestration (176.5 Mg CO₂ ha⁻¹) of apple was observed in apple established with full moon micro-catchment. Amongst mulches, maximum biomass (34.54 Mg ha⁻¹) and carbon stocks 16.16 Mg C ha⁻¹ were recorded with polythene mulch. Whereas, maximum carbon storage (33.66 Mg C ha⁻¹) and CO₂ sequestration (178.7 Mg CO₂ ha⁻¹) were recorded in organic mulch treated plots. Interaction effect of full moon water harvesting system along with plastic mulching showed significantly maximum fruit yield, productivity efficiency, biomass, soil carbon storage, carbon stocks and soil moisture content in apple as compared to other treatment combinations under rainfed conditions of Kashmir valley.