Publication Date:
2014-05-27
Description:
Carbon (C) sequestration potential was quantified for five tree species, commonly used in tree-based intercropping (TBI) and for conventional agricultural systems in southern Ontario, Canada. In the 25-year-old TBI system, hybrid poplar ( Populus deltoides × Populus nigra clone DN-177), Norway spruce ( Picae abies), red oak ( Quercus rubra ), black walnut ( Juglans nigra) , and white cedar ( Thuja occidentalis ) were intercropped with soybean ( Glycine max ). In the conventional agricultural system, soybean was grown as a sole crop. Above- and belowground tree C Content, soil organic C, soil respiration, litterfall and litter decomposition were quantified for each tree species in each system. Total C pools for hybrid poplar, white cedar, red oak, black walnut, Norway spruce and a soybean sole-cropping system were 113.4, 99.4, 99.2, 91.5, 91.3, and 71.1 t C ha −1 , respectively at a tree density of 111 trees ha −1 , including mean tree C content and soil organic C stocks. Net C flux for hybrid poplar, white cedar, red oak, black walnut, Norway spruce and soybean sole-crop were 2.1, 1.4, 0.8, 1.8, 1.6 and −1.2 t C ha −1 year −1 , respectively. Results presented suggest greater atmospheric CO 2 sequestration potential for all five tree species when compared to a conventional agricultural system.
Print ISSN:
0167-4366
Electronic ISSN:
1572-9680
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
