Carbon Sequestration in Agroforestry and Pasture Systems in Arid Northwestern India

Carbon sequestration has been suggested as a means to help mitigate the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration. Silvipastoral systems can better sequester carbon in soil and biomass and help to improve soil conditions. In the present study, carbon sequestration was quantified both in biomass and soil in two pasture systems (Cenchrus ciliaris and Cenchrus setegerus), two tree systems (Acacia tortilis and Azadirachta indica) and four silvipastoral system (combination of one tree and on grass) in arid northwestern India. The silvipastoral system sequestered 36.3% to 60.0% more total soil organic carbon stock compared to the tree system and 27.1-70.8% more in comparison to the pasture system. The soil organic carbon and net carbon sequestered were greater in the silvipastoral system. Thus, silvipastoral system involving trees and grasses can help in better sequestration of atmospheric system compared with systems containing only trees or pasture.