Title:
Soil Physico-Chemical Properties and Carbon Credit Under Different Land Use Systems in Mirzapur District of Uttar Pradesh
Author(s):
Sharma, P., Singh, N., Singh, N.K., Kumar, S., Bhandari, G.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
Land-use systems (LUSs) fundamentally dictate soil health by influencing its physical, chemical and biological properties. In order to assess the influence of diverse land-use systems (LUSs) on soil physico-chemical properties, available nutrients, and carbon stocking in the semi-arid Vindhyan region of Uttar Pradesh, India; twelve representative LUSs comprising three ecosystems viz; agroforestry systems (karonda, guava, custard apple, and bael orchards with intercrops), agroecosystem (berseem, sugarcane, sorghum, and Pigeon Pea ), and forest ecosystems (mixed deciduous, subabul, ber, and bamboo) were evaluated in Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) at two soil depths (0-15 cm and 15-30 cm) with three replications. Soil samples were analysed for bulk and Particle density, pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), and available macronutrients (N, P, K, and S), along with biomass production, carbon stock, CO2 sequestration, and carbon credit potential. Significant variations were observed among the LUSs and soil depths. Pigeon pea fields recorded the highest bulk density, whereas the Ziziphus mauritiana forest exhibited the lowest. Soil pH was highest under pigeon pea (7.53–7.70) and lowest in bael-based agroforestry (6.13–6.40). Mixed species forest demonstrated superior soil health with the highest SOC content (0.87–0.91%) and SOC stock (17.56–18.08 t ha.¹), while sorghum fields recorded the lowest values. Forest systems also exhibited substantially greater biomass production and carbon sequestration potential, with mixed species forest recording the highest total biomass (85.39 t ha.¹), carbon stock (42.70 t ha.¹), annual carbon accumulation (3.28 t ha.¹ yr.¹), and CO2 sequestration (156.69 t ha.¹), followed by Leucaena leucocephala forest. Consequently, mixed species forest generated the highest carbon credit (.46,790.35 ha.¹ yr.¹), whereas berseem fields recorded the lowest returns. Across all systems, SOC and nutrient availability declined with increasing soil depth. The findings emphasise that forest- and agroforestry-based land uses improve soil health, enhance nutrient cycling, and provide greater carbon storage, sequestration, and credit potential compared to a solo agroecosystem. Therefore, promoting diversified land use, particularly agroforestry, stands as a cornerstone strategy for building sustainable and climate-resilient agrifood systems in vulnerable semi-arid regions.
Keywords:
biomass, carbon sequestration, soil organic carbon, land use systems, soil physico-chemical properties
Topic:
Sustainable Resources for Decarbonising the Economy
Subtopic:
Sustainable integrated agricultural management practices
Event:
34th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1DV.4.14
Pages:
162 - 171
ISBN:
978-88-89407-27-1
Paper DOI:
10.5071/34thEUBCE2026-1DV.4.14
Price:
FREE
