Impact of organic amendments on soil carbon sequestration and biomass carbon allocation of crops

161 Pages·2015·7.75 MB·English

by  Gowhar Bashir

Impact of organic amendments on soil carbon
sequestration and biomass carbon allocation of crops

Gowhar Bashir
(2010-334-D)

Division of Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Horticulture
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences &
Technology of Kashmir

2015
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Impact of organic amendments on soil carbon
sequestration and biomass carbon allocation of crops

Gowhar Bashir
(2010-334-D)

Thesis

Submitted to

The Faculty of Horticulture
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and
Technology of Kashmir
in partial fulfilment of requirement for the award of the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Sciences

2015
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Dedicated

To
My Parents

To whom I am indebted for their
blessings & affection and who
encouraged me to proceed along a path
“where tireless striving stretches its
arms towards perfection”

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Sher-e-Kashmir
University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
Faculty of Horticulture
Division of Environmental Sciences

Certificate – I

This is to certify that the thesis entitled “Impact of organic
amendments on soil carbon sequestration and biomass carbon
allocation of crops” submitted in partial fulfilment of the
requirements for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
in Environmental Sciences, to the Faculty of Horticulture, Sher-e-
Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of
Kashmir, is a record of bonafide research work carried out by
Ms. Gowhar Bashir (Regd. No. 2010-334-D) under my supervision
and guidance. No part of the thesis has been submitted for any
other degree or diploma.
It is further certified that any help or information received
during the course of investigation have duly been acknowledged.

Dr. Shoukat Ara
Chairman
Advisory Committee

Endorsed

Prof. & Head,
Division of Environmental Sciences

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Sher-e-Kashmir
University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
Faculty of Horticulture
Division of Environmental Sciences

Certificate – II

We, the members of the Advisory committee of Ms. Gowhar
Bashir (Regd. No. 2010-334-D), a candidate for the degree of Doctor
of Philosophy in Environmental Sciences, have gone through the
manuscript of the thesis entitled, “Impact of organic amendments
on soil carbon sequestration and biomass carbon allocation of
crops” and recommend that it may be submitted by the student in
partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of degree.

Advisory Committee

Chairman Dr. Shoukat Ara,
Associate Professor,
Division of Environmental Sciences,
SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar
Members
Dr. F.A. Lone,
Associate Professor, Division of Environmental
Sciences, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar

Dr. Tahir Ali,
Professor & Head, Division of Soil Science,
SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar

Dr. Showkat Maqbool,
Assistant Professor, Division of Agri-Statistics,
SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar

Dean’s Nominee Dr. Shabir Hussain Khan,
Associate Professor, Division of Vegetable
Science, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar
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Sher-e-Kashmir
University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
Faculty of Horticulture
Division of Environmental Sciences

Certificate – III

This is to certify that the thesis, “Impact of organic
amendments on soil carbon sequestration and biomass carbon
allocation of crops” submitted by Ms. Gowhar Bashir (Regd. No.
2010-334-D) to the Faculty of Horticulture, Sher-e-Kashmir
University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, in
partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Sciences was examined and
approved by the Advisory Committee and external examiner on
………………..

Chairman External Examiner
Advisory Committee

Prof. & Head
Division of Environmental Sciences

Director Education
SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar

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Sher-e-Kashmir
University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
Division of Environmental Sciences, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar-
190 025

Name of the student : Gowhar Bashir
Registration No. : 2010-334-D
Major subject : Environmental Sciences
Minor subjects : Soil Science/Vegetable Science
Major advisor : Dr. Shoukat Ara,
Associate Professor,
Division of Environmental Sciences,
SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar
Title of the Thesis : “Impact of organic amendments on soil
carbon sequestration and biomass carbon
allocation of crops”
ABSTRACT
The present investigation was carried out during 2011, 2012 and 2013 to
study the impact of organic amendments on soil carbon sequestration and biomass
carbon allocation of crops. Three different types of organic amendments used
were farmyard manure (FYM), poultry manure (PM) and vermicompost (VC).
Ten different treatment combination of organic amendments were applied. Two
test crops used were Kale (Brassica oleraceae var. acephala L.) and French bean
(Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The experiment was laid out in a randomized block
design with three replications of each treatment. Organic amendments play an
important role in maintaining soil quality and carbon sequestration and thereby
greenhouse gas mitigation. Maintaining and increasing soil organic matter (SOM)
adds to soil fertility, water retention and crop production. In addition to applying
carbon rich soil amendment it provides a high content of carbon to low carbon
soils and thereby an improved environment for plant growth. This study was
specifically conducted in a temperate climate to evaluate soil carbon sequestration
under different nutrient management strategies. Results revealed a significant
increase in soil carbon storage with organic treatments i.e. 100% VC followed by
inorganic + organic treatment. Highest biomass productivity was observed in
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(organic + inorganic treatments) followed by recommended fertilizer dose. Above
ground and below ground carbon content of Kale and French bean was
significantly higher in 100% VC treatment followed by 100% FYM. Significantly
lowest values were recorded in RFD in both the test crops. Significantly highest
values for above and belowground carbon content were recorded in French beans.
In an era when global warming is increasingly becoming an environmental threat
to human existence, there is a need for studies of this nature which can provide
information on the best soil amendments and cropping systems which will
enhance soil carbon sequestration in the short term with increased crop
yield/productivity. Organic amendments also restore soil quality by balancing pH,
adding organic matter, increasing water holding capacity and re-establishing
microbial communities. An understanding of the dynamics of carbon stock in
soils, as effected by management strategies, is necessary to identify the pathways
of carbon sequestration in soils and for maintaining soil organic carbon at a level
critical for up keeping soil health and also for restraining global warming.
From the present study it was concluded that for achieving high carbon
sequestration in soils, the crops should be fertilized with 100% vermicompost and
French bean crop is recommended for better carbon storage in crop. However, for
obtaining highest yield, combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers are
recommended.

Key words : Carbon sequestration, Vermicompost, Organic amendments, Kale,
Poultry manure, Farmyard manure

Signature of Student Signature of Major Advisor
Dated:____________ Dated:_________________

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

"In the name of God, most Gracious, most Compassionate".
Humbly, I would like to thank ‘GOD’ the Almighty, the Merciful and the
Compassionate, who gave me gift of life, courage and strength to go through this
crucial juncture and provided me everything that I desired.
A meaningful research work is a product of interaction, inter- dependence and
inter- relationship of individuals. It is so with the present work and this is the
opportunity to acknowledge those who have helped me in one way or the other in
completing this assignment.

I
t is my great pleasure to highlight and get in lime light the hidden names of all
golden persons without whom the present work would have become a dream. It is
a matter of great pleasure and privilege for me to extend my deep sense of gratitude
and indebtness to my Chairperson Dr. Shoukat Ara, Associate Professor, Division of
Environmental Sciences, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar for her impeccable and
benevolent guidance, valuable suggestions, constructive criticism and constant
encouragement during the entire course of this work which resulted in its successful
completion.
I am extremely thankful to the worthy members of my Advisory Committee
Dr. F.A. Lone, Associate Professor, Division of Environmental Sciences; Dr. Tahir
Ali, Professor & Head, Division of Soil Sciences, SKUAST-Kashmir; Dr. Showkat
Maqbool, Assistant Professor, Division of Agri-Statistics; Dr. SHabir Hussain Khan,
Associate Professor, Division of Vegetable Science, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar
(Dean P.G. Nominee) for their constant help, valuable suggestions and kind co-
operation throughout the present study.
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I express my gratefulness to Dr. Shafiq-ur-Rehman, Professor and Head,
Division of Environmental Sciences, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar, for his support
that resulted in timely completion of this thesis.
Words in dictionary lack warmth in conveying my sincere and heartfelt
gratitude to Dr. F.A. Lone, Associate Professor, Division of Environmental Science
for his cooperation. I shall ever remain indebted to him for providing me with necessary
chemicals to carryout my research work smoothly.
I am highly grateful to all the Faculty members of Division of Environmental
Sciences for their constant encouragement, support and guidance during the study
programme. I am also thankful to all the Technical staff members and Non-Teaching
staff for their help and support.
My special thanks to Dr. Shakeel Ahamd Mir, Head, Division of Agri-
Statistics, Dr. Nageena Nazir, Assistant Professor, Division of Agri-Statistics and
Dr. Faheema, Assistant Professor, Division of Vegetable Science for their timely help
and encouragement. My special thanks to Dr. Parvaiz Pathan who always encouraged
me during my period of study.
I also acknowledge sincere thanks to the staff members of Central Library,
CD-ROM and ARIS, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar for rendering all possible help
while collecting the research literature.
I place on record my thanks to worthy Director Education, Post Graduate
Studies and his Staff for their earnest help and cooperation in this endeavour.
The help and cooperation rendered by my friends Ms. Nowsheen Hassan, Mrs.
Iram Iftikhar Kirmani, Mrs. Sana Ashia, Mrs. Romi Malik, Mrs. Rukaya Rafiq, Ms.
Shazmeen, Dr. Bazigah Badar, Dr. Nousheen Qurashi and colleagues Dr. Fozia, Dr.
Syed Maqbool Geelani, Dr. Gazala Qazi and Dr. Sabia Zaffar are duly acknowledged.
Every effort is motivated by an ambition and all ambitions have an inspiration
behind. I owe this pride place to my Parents especially to my mother for her prudent
persuasion and heartfelt blessings. I feel short of vocabulary to express my deep sense
of gratitude to them for catalyzing my efforts without which this work would not
have been possible.
I take this opportunity to put on record my deep sense of gratitude and love to
my late Grand Father Mr. Hafizullah Baba and my sisters Mrs. Shagufta Bashir, Ms.
Sanober Bashir and my brother Mr. Sofi Imtiyaz who always encouraged me during
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