Carbon sequestration potential of pea-oat intercropping system in rice fallows as influenced by integrated nutrient management

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat in 2014-15 and 2015-16 to study the “Carbon sequestration potential of pea-oat intercropping system as influenced by integrated nutrient management”. The Carbon sequestration potential (CSP) was influence statistically by cropping system in both the years. The highest carbon sequestration potential was observed in sole pea cropping in all the years of experimentation. Among the intercropping system the highest Carbon sequestration potential of 1.14 and 1.26 Mg/ha in 0-15 cm and 0.90 and 1.08 Mg/ha in 15-30 cm was recorded from 3:3 row proportions during 2014-15 and 2015-16, respectively. Application of nutrients at different treatment combinations of 50% N through Recommended Dose of Fertilizer + 50% N through vermicompost gave the highest Carbon sequestration potential of 1.54 and 1.60 Mg/ha in 0-15 cm and 1.29 and 1.55 Mg/ha in 15-30 cm during 2014-15 and 2015-16, respectively. It can be concluded that a planting geometry of 3:3 row proportion with integrated nutrient management of the soil with 50% N through vermicompost + 50% N through inorganics recorded significantly better bulk density, soil organic carbon content, microbial biomass carbon and carbon sequestration potential in all the experimental years.