Effect of different spacing geometries of Populus deltoides on carbon sequestration potential of poplar based agroforestry system in North-Western Haryana

The present study was carried out in poplar planted with different spacing i.e. 5x4 m, 10x2 m and 18x2x2 m at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar for the assessment of carbon sequestration potential of poplar based agroforestry system. It was observed that the height and GBH increased considerably with the advancement of age of poplar under different spacings. After 8 years of transplantation, height was not influenced by different spacings of poplar whereas the girth varied significantly in different spacings and less girth was recorded in paired row geometry (18x2x2m). The soil under poplar based agroforestry system showed 39.7 per cent more organic carbon than sole crop. The soils under poplar based agroforestry had 2.9–4.4 Mg ha-1 higher soil organic carbon than in sole crop. Mean rate of carbon storage has been found higher in agroforestry than in sole crop. The mean rate of carbon storage in agroforestry has been found to be 113 per cent higher than sole Agriculture. The rate of carbon storage was found to be 25.2 t/ha/year in poplar based agroforestry system and 11.8 t/ha/year in sole agriculture.