Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

GROWTH, BIOMASS, CARBON SEQUESTRATION AND NUTRIENT STORAGE IN CEIBA PENTANDRA (L) GAERTN. STANDS IN SUB HUMID TROPICS OF EASTERN INDIA

Anil Gawali, Sunil Puri and S.L. Swamy

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur, Chattisgarh, India to evaluate the Growth, biomass, carbon sequestration and N,P and K nutrient storage in nine year old stands of Ceiba pentandra (L) Gaertn planted in 4 x 4 m, 4 x 6 m and 4 x 8 m tree spacing in sub humid tropics of Eastern India. Growth parameters varied significantly due to pruning regimes and tree spacing. Stand biomass ranged from 16.81 to 30.74 Mg ha-1 in 4 x 4 m to 4 x 8 m tree spacing of Ceiba stands. Total biomass, stem component contributed highest (45.3 to 47.7%) followed by root (22.8 - 22.9%), branch (16.75 - 17.84%), pod (6.36 - 9.11%) and leaf (5.82 - 5.92%) components. The stand carbon ranged from 5586 to 9896 kg ha-1 with mean annual C storage of 620 to 1099.6 kg ha-1 yr-1. Among tree components the stem wood accounted for maximum carbon sequester (51 to 51.6%) fallowed by roots (19 to 20 %), branches (14 to 15%) leaves (6.5 to 6.8%) and pods (4.8 to 5.1%). Tree spacing significantly influenced nutrient storage. It was ranged from 508 to 825. 3 kg N ha-1, P from 48 .6 to 79 .2 kg ha-1 and K from 240.6 to 407.6 kg ha-1. Nutrient storage in Ceiba stands in different components in order of stem > leaf > root > branch > pod.