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Vol.3 , No. 1, Publication Date: Feb. 26, 2016, Page: 32-36
. Soil samples under land that was under these management practices for a long period (10 years) were collected and analyzed for organic carbon content to a depth of 60 cm (0-30 and 30-60 cm). Soil pH, bulk density and texture were also analyzed. The relationship between bulk density, soil texture and soil organic carbon content in the soil was also established. This study was carried out at MUARIK (Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute, Kabanyolo) in Wakiso District of Central Uganda. Thirty six (36) soil samples were collected for analysis of the selected parameters. Results show that carbon sequestration is land management practice-dependent (p < 0.05); management practices with ground cover throughout the year registered significantly higher organic carbon content of between 136 to139 Kg ha<sup>-1</sup>, while upland natural fallow registered a low quantity of organic carbon (87 Kg ha<sup>-1</sup>). In the swamp agroecosystem, it was shown that conversion of swamps to agriculture, with judicious drainage, increased soil organic carbon content by 15 to 20%. Increasing biomass inputs to the soil increased the carbon sequestered. It was concluded that adoption of soil and water conservation practices greatly reduces loss of soil organic carbon, especially under agroforestry systems. Therefore, promotion and adoption of agroforestry as a key land utilization type can significantly contribute to carbon sequestration and improved physical, chemical and biological soil properties. This may lead to sustainable crop productivity in tropical farming systems.&picture=http://www.aascit.org/aascit/decorators/img/journal/904.jpg)
| [1] | Twaha Ali Basamba, Department of Agricultural Production, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. |
| [2] | Simon Peter Okurut, Department of Agricultural Production, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. |
| [3] | John Wasige, Department of Agricultural Production, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. |
| [4] | Ann Tumushabe, Kampala International University, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Kampala, Uganda. |
| [5] | Kassim Ssekabira, Kampala International University, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Kampala, Uganda. |
Soil carbon sequestration is a natural, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly process and once sequestered, carbon remains in the soil as long as restorative land use, no-till farming and other appropriate management practices are followed. This study aimed at quantifying the carbon sequestered under different land management practices for enhanced soil quality in the Lake Victoria crescent of East Africa. Six land management types were selected (agroforestry, upland natural fallow, mulching, swamp agro-ecosystem, crop rotation and swamp natural fallow). Soil samples under land that was under these management practices for a long period (10 years) were collected and analyzed for organic carbon content to a depth of 60 cm (0-30 and 30-60 cm). Soil pH, bulk density and texture were also analyzed. The relationship between bulk density, soil texture and soil organic carbon content in the soil was also established. This study was carried out at MUARIK (Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute, Kabanyolo) in Wakiso District of Central Uganda. Thirty six (36) soil samples were collected for analysis of the selected parameters. Results show that carbon sequestration is land management practice-dependent (p < 0.05); management practices with ground cover throughout the year registered significantly higher organic carbon content of between 136 to139 Kg ha-1, while upland natural fallow registered a low quantity of organic carbon (87 Kg ha-1). In the swamp agroecosystem, it was shown that conversion of swamps to agriculture, with judicious drainage, increased soil organic carbon content by 15 to 20%. Increasing biomass inputs to the soil increased the carbon sequestered. It was concluded that adoption of soil and water conservation practices greatly reduces loss of soil organic carbon, especially under agroforestry systems. Therefore, promotion and adoption of agroforestry as a key land utilization type can significantly contribute to carbon sequestration and improved physical, chemical and biological soil properties. This may lead to sustainable crop productivity in tropical farming systems.
Keywords
Soil Organic Carbon, Soil Quality, Carbon Sequestration, Land Management
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