Productivity and carbon sequestration potential of arecanut cultivars

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Thirthahalli, KSNUAHS,
Shivamogga, Karnataka, India. Eight arecanut cultivars were evaluated for growth and yield performance for two
consecutive years and above-ground carbon sequestration potential and the soil carbon sequestration potential
were assessed. The cultivar SAS-1 performed superiorly over other cultivars for all the growth parameters
viz., plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves and internodal distance. Highest yield of fruit bunch was
recorded in the cultivar Mohithnagar (20.28 kg/palm), followed by Thirthahalli local (17.92 kg) and Sreemangala
(17.46 kg). Maximum chali/ dried ripe nut yield was recorded in Thithahalli local (3.29 kg), Mohithnagar (3.10
kg) and Sreemangala (2.80 kg). Tender nut yield was also recorded maximum (2.83 kg) in Thirthahalli local,
reconfirming the better adaptability to the region over other cultivars under study. Significantly higher values
for standing biomass (15.49 t/ha), carbon stock (7.75 t/ha) and carbon sequestration (28.43 t/ha) were recorded
in cultivar SAS-1 which are due to its better growth in terms of plant height, stem diameter and number of
leaves. Soil parameters viz., bulk density, soil organic carbon and carbon stock in soil were analyzed in the
rhizosphere of respective cultivars. Maximum soil organic carbon (13.10g/kg and 11.43g/kg at 0-30 & 30-60 cm
depths, respectively) and carbon stock (52.77 t/ha at 0-30 cm and 46.41 t/ha at 30-60 cm depth) were recorded
in cultivar Sumangala. The study proved that apart from being a commercial plantation crop, arecanut serves
as a potential carbon sink.