Evaluation of Carbon Sequestration Potential in Amla ( Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) Orchards in Semi-arid Region of India

Carbon sequestration potential in terms of above and below ground biomass carbon and soil organic carbon in orchards of Emblica officinalis in semi-arid Rajasthan has been estimated. Total carbon stock in soil was calculated using allometric equations. Physico-chemical properties of topsoil and subsoil have been studied using standard methods. Chakaiya variety was found to be most suitable for C sequestration with 66.32 kg/plant above ground biomass out of the three varieties of E. officinalis under study namely chakaiya, kanchan and narendra. The age difference of 2 years between two orchards of the same variety (Chakaiya) had no significant difference in their above ground biomass. Total C stock varied from 19.16 to 19.39 Mg ha −1 in 12 years of old plantations. Variation in nitrogen content in subsoil samples has been observed. But, it remained unchanged in topsoil. From the carbon sequestration potential point of view, E. officinalis is an efficient native genotype with 23.48 Mg ha −1 biomass in 14 years duration in the semi-arid region.