Wednesday, November 15, 2006
306-16
Are poplar plantations a better alternative to no-till management in carbon sequestration for Michigan producers?.
Senthilkumar Subramanian1, Alexandra Kravchenko2, and G. Philip Robertson1. (1) Michigan State University, Department of Crop & Soil Sciences, PSSB, East Lansing, MI 48824, (2) MSU/Dept. of Crop & Soil Sciences, 376 Plant and Soil Science Bldg, 376 Plant and Soil Science Bldg, East Lansing, MI 48824-1325, United States of America
Among the conservational land management practices, no tillage system, cover cropping, and establishment of perennial vegetation are some of the options that can increase the carbon sequestration potential and enhance soil quality. Even though different agricultural tillage systems have been intensively researched, relatively few studies looked at the opportunities and potential benefits of a perennial system as compared with agricultural systems. The objective of this study is to assess the potential benefits and relative efficacy of carbon sequestration potential of a poplar plantation and compare it with the commonly used conservational agricultural practice of no-till. The study is being conducted at the Long Term Ecological Research site at the Kellogg Biological station (MI). The results of the study will be presented and discussed.