Carbon sequestration in cassava and para rubber plantation, Rayong province

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to estimate Carbon sequestration in one crop yield of Cassava and from the productive stage to falling leaves stage of Para rubber (six month). Carbon content of aboveground, soil surface and below ground biomass was estimated. In addition, the relationships between soil organic carbon and soil properties in the upper soil horizon (0-30 cm) was determined. The carbon content in plants was calculated from biomass and carbon percentage in plant parts. The allometric equation was applied to calculate both aboveground (stem, branches and leaves) and below ground (roots) biomass of Para rubber trees. Ground cover and litter fall were dried by oven drying at 85°C until constant weight was reached, with was weight being used in biomass content estimation. The results showed that carbon sequestration in one crop yield at a Cassava plantation was 8,368.49 kg/rai, which consisted of total carbon sequestration in Cassava trees, ground cover and in soil at 959.97 kg/rai, 153.88 kg/rai and 7,254.64 kg/rai, respectively. From the growing stage until the harvested stage, there was an increase of carbon sequestration at 30 cm depth soil at the Cassava plantation 1,631.12 kg/rai. Moreover, carbon sequestration in productive stage of the Para rubber plantation was 14,764.57 kg/rai which consisted of carbon sequestration in Para rubber trees, ground cover, litter fall and soil of 12,226.14 kg/rai, 27.57 kg/rai, 45.50 kg/rai and 2,465.36 kg/rai, respectively. Carbon sequestration in the falling leaves stage of Para rubber plantation was 16,918.29 kg/rai, which consisted of carbon sequestration in Para rubber trees, ground cover, litter fall and soil of 12,533.71 kg/rai, 19.67, 121.87 kg/rai and 4,253.04 kg/rai, respectively. From the productive stage until the falling leaves stage, there was an increase of carbon sequestration at the Para rubber plantation, Para rubber trees, litter fall and soil: 2,153.72 kg/rai, 297.57 kg/rai, 121.87 kg/rai and 1,787.68 kg/rai, respectively. These results