Potential of Cropping Sequences on Soil Carbon Sequestration

A research work was initiated during 2016-17 to assess the different cropping sequences on soil carbon sequestration in a Cauvery delta zone of Tamil Nadu. The different cropping sequences were T1 (green manure- rice – black gram (relay crop), T2 (GM - Rice- Sesame), T3 (GM - Rice + Daincha - Maize + Green gram),T4 (GM- Rice + Daincha – Bhendi),T5(GM- Rice + Daincha – Ragi),T6 (GM- Rice + Daincha – Varagu), T7 (GM - Rice + Daincha – Fodder Cowpea). From the study, higher sequestration was recorded under the T3 cropping sequences (0.36 t ha-1) and also the higher soil carbon pools were seen as well as the legume included maize based cropping sequences. Hence the inclusions of legume in the maize based cropping sequences leads to sequestrate more carbon in the deltaic zone of Tamil Nadu.