Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration in Jatropha curcas Systems in Burkina Faso

Sophia Baumert, Asia Khamzina, Paul L.G. Vlek

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The cultivation of the biofuel crop Jatropha curcas L. in Burkina Faso may contribute to ameliorating the soil fertility of severely declining cropland through increased organic matter input and erosion control. This study addresses the potential for the soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration in traditional and newly introduced J. curcas production systems. Five prevailing systems included interplanting with annual crops, intensely managed monoculture plantations, afforestation of abandoned cropland, plantings along contour stone walls, and traditional living fences. The SOC was analyzed in 20 paired sites of 1- to 4-year-old J. curcas plantings and adjacent cropland. Paired sites with living fences involved a longer chronosequence with 15- and 20-year-old plantings. Additionally, the contribution of J. curcas to SOC sequestration was investigated by comparing the 13C signature of the C inputs in four J. curcas sites with that of sorghum cropping. Linear regression analysis did not reveal a clear trend of SOC dynamics over time for the short-term chronosequences, nor could the isotopic tracer technique prove a contribution of 4-year-old J. curcas trees to the SOC stock. The 20-year chronosequence of J. curcas living fences exhibited a significant SOC increase of 62 ± 23 g m−2 y−1. Considering soil coverage of 1,200 m2 ha−1 by living fences (400-m hedge with a width of 3 m), 1.5 Mg SOC was sequestered. Also, changes in δ13C values indicated a contribution of C3-derived C to the SOC stock. These findings on traditional J. curcas systems indicate the potential of this biofuel crop for improving cropland soil fertility in the long run.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1813-1819
Number of pages7
JournalLand Degradation and Development
Volume27
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016 Nov 1
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Keywords

  • C natural abundance technique
  • Jatropha
  • West Africa
  • chronosequence
  • living fences

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Development
  • Environmental Science(all)
  • Soil Science

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