Assessment of Biomass and Carbon Stock in Azadirachta indica Plantation of Northern Dry Zone of Karnataka

Azadirachta indica plantation was established in Randomized Block Design during 2005 in two different sites viz., Shaktinagar and Raichur in the Northern Dry Zone of Karnataka. Carbon sequestration rate and total biomass has been measured at different ages of Neem by CHN analyzer during 2013. Neem is one of the fast growing tree species, which can grow up well under any diversified climatic condition. Results showed that at Shaktinagar the carbon sequestration values of 3.84 ton/ha, 5.07 ton/ha, 7.92 ton/ha, 10.29 ton/ha and 13.99 ton/ha in fifth year after planting, six year after planting, 7 year after planting, 8 year after planting and 9 year after planting respectively. However at site of Raichur, Carbon sequestration of 4.51 ton/ha in five year after planting, 6.09 ton/ha in 6 years after planting, 8.35 ton/ha in 7 year after planting, 10.57 ton/ha in 8 year after planting and 15.63 ton/ha in 8 year after planting was registered. In Northern Dry zone of Karnataka there was a good amount of Carbon sequestration by A. indica in ARS Raichur than the Shaktinagar among two sites, these will create a good long term sink of Carbon and reduces the global warming.