Authors:Lubina P.A. Aparna Rajan . Pavithra G.M . Ravi. N1. Anilkumar K.S. Viswanath S.
Abstract:The study was undertaken to understand the carbon sequestration potential of two popularly grown bamboo species, D. stocksii and D. strictus in different agroclimatic zones. The study sites were from the districts of Bengaluru Rural, Belgaum and Chikmagalur in Karnataka representing semi-arid, sub-humid and per-humid regions respectively. The Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) stock recorded in six plantations from four locations falling in three agro-ecological zones were classified into 0-30 cm and 30-100 cm depth and 0-100 cm depth. The 0-30 cm was considered the dynamic SOC part, 30-100 as the potential SOC part and a combination of these two depths (0-100 cm) indicated the SOC stocks, a land quality indicator. The difference in SOC stock in various depths across agro-climatic zones can be attributed to climate, biomass production, root spread, canopy cover,ground cover, rate of mineralization and fixation in soil solum. Highest SOC content in D. stocksii plantation was found in per-humid region for all the three layers ,while highest SOC content in D. strictus plantation was found in sub-humid region for all the layers. Accordingly, D. stocksii can be considered the most economically viable option for per-humid regions, and D. strictus appears to be more effective for managing land degradation and for carbon sequestration particularly in the semi –arid and sub-humid zones
Keywords:Agroclimatic zone, D. stocksii, D. strictus,land quality, soil carbon stock