Jatropha-based Alley Cropping System’s Contribution to Carbon Sequestration

Abstract

"The study was conducted to evaluate the total carbon stocks sequestered in a Jatropha – based alley cropping system treated with varying fertilizer applications. The study was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The alley was planted with corn in two seasons Treatments include control (no fertilizer), organic fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer applied to the alley crops. Findings showed that the treatments with fertilizer applications had higher carbon stock in the jatropha hedges. The carbon content of the corn stover was also higher in organic and inorganic fertilizer-applied treatments. However, highest soil carbon content was shown in treatments applied with organic fertilizer (4.28 Ton ha-1). The inorganic fertilizer treatment had the lowest soil carbon content with a mean of 4.28 Ton ha-1. In terms of total carbon stock of the entire jatropha-based alley cropping system, there was a significant difference among treatments with organic fertilizer application having the highest mean of 7.79 Ton ha-1 while the inorganic treated plots had 6.53 Ton ha-1. The no fertilizer treatment had the least carbon stocks with 6.53 Ton ha-1. This recent study revealed that the jatropha-based alley cropping system is a potential land-use for carbon sequestration. This farming system needs to be promoted in upland areas to function not only as soil and water conservation measures but also as a possible remedy for global warming."