Srinivas K*, Indoria AK, Balloli SS, Ranjith M, Mamatha B and Umil Singh N

ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Saidabad, Santhosh Nagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500059, India

*Corresponding Author: Srinivas K, ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Saidabad, Santhosh Nagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500059, India.

Received: February 12, 2026; Published: February 28, 2026

Information on the geographical distribution of carbon (C) sequestration potential of soils across geographical and management units can help in understanding the agronomic, climatic, topographic and pedological factors controlling the potential for C sequestration and guide prioritized targeting of strategies to promote C sequestration. A study was conducted at ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad during 2018-20 to estimate the C sequestration potential of soils under different land use systems using the C saturation concept. Soil samples were collected from two depths, 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm from seven land use systems (Native forest, Planted forest, Rainfed fodder grass, Irrigated fodder grass, Cropping with large C input, Cropping with no external C input and Cultivated fallow). Bulk density, soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil fraction <20 μm were determined and C sequestration potential was estimated assuming that 85% of SOC is associated with the fine soil fraction (<20 μm). The carbon saturation deficit, or potential for further C sequestration in the soils, up to a depth of 40 cm ranged from 4.92 kg m-2 (native forest land use system) to 7.57 kg m-2 (cropping with large C input land use system). Soils under cultivation had greater potential for C sequestration than soils under undisturbed systems, and C sequestration potential was higher in the soil from 20- 40 cm depth. The organic carbon actually associated with the soil fraction <20 μm (SSOC) was determined to verify the validity of the 85% assumption for soils under different land use systems. SSOC as % of SOC ranged from 52.45% to 87.37% and was lower in undisturbed systems compared to cultivated systems, and in the 0-20 cm depth compared to 20-40 cm. Assuming SSOC as 85% of SOC led to underestimation of C sequestration potential up to 40 cm soil depth ranging from 0.02 kg m-2 (cultivated fallow) to 1.00 kg m-2 (planted forest). The results of this study provide a basis for targeting C sequestration in soils.

Information on the geographical distribution of carbon (C) sequestration potential of soils across geographical and management units can help in understanding the agronomic, climatic, topographic and pedological factors controlling the potential for C sequestration and guide prioritized targeting of strategies to promote C sequestration. A study was conducted at ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad during 2018-20 to estimate the C sequestration potential of soils under different land use systems using the C saturation concept. Soil samples were collected from two depths, 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm from seven land use systems (Native forest, Planted forest, Rainfed fodder grass, Irrigated fodder grass, Cropping with large C input, Cropping with no external C input and Cultivated fallow). Bulk density, soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil fraction < 20 μm were determined and C sequestration potential was estimated assuming that 85% of SOC is associated with the fine soil fraction (< 20 μm). The carbon saturation deficit, or potential for further C sequestration in the soils, up to a depth of 40 cm ranged from 4.92 kg m-2 (native forest land use system) to 7.57 kg m-2 (cropping with large C input land use system). Soils under cultivation had greater potential for C sequestration than soils under undisturbed systems, and C sequestration potential was higher in the soil from 20- 40 cm depth. The organic carbon actually associated with the soil fraction < 20 μm (SSOC) was determined to verify the validity of the 85% assumption for soils under different land use systems. SSOC as % of SOC ranged from 52.45% to 87.37% and was lower in undisturbed systems compared to cultivated systems, and in the 0-20 cm depth compared to 20-40 cm. Assuming SSOC as 85% of SOC led to underestimation of C sequestration potential up to 40 cm soil depth ranging from 0.02 kg m-2 (cultivated fallow) to 1.00 kg m-2 (planted forest). The results of this study provide a basis for targeting C sequestration in soils.

Keywords: Soil; Carbon; Saturation; Sequestration; Land Use; Depth

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Citation

Citation: Srinivas K., et al. “Carbon Sequestration Potential of Semi-arid Soils Under Different Land Use Systems". Acta Scientific Agriculture 10.3 (2026): 13-19.

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Copyright: © 2026 Srinivas K., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.