Vol. 12, Special Issue 8 (2023)

Author(s):
Hitesh Borana, Bheru Lal Kumhar, Devi Lal Kumhar and Shish Ram Jakhar

Abstract:
Indian agriculture challenges due to changing climate are natural resource degradation, loss of biodiversity, loss of quality water, increase pollution hazards and environmental security. Incorporation of perennial grasses can be effective to allocate a higher percentage of plant biomass carbon to below ground soil carbon sequestration, extend the growing season, better utilize soil water and reduce tillage disturbance compared to annual crops. Grasses based cropping system (GBCS) help in increasing the fodder yield and resource use efficiency through their vegetation cover, greater root production ability especially bind soil particles, help in soil conservation, sustainable fodder production, adapting to mitigating global climate change, improving water quality, availability and ensuring food security. The rate of carbon sequestration depends on the net balance between carbon inputs and carbon losses per unit time. Mitigation of CO₂ emission from agriculture can be achieved by increasing carbon sequestration in soil which implies storage of carbon as soil organic matter as minimum soil disturbance (tillage), increasing the mass and quality of plant and animal inputs to soils, improving soil i.e. microbial diversity, abundance and maintaining continuous living plant cover on soils year-round. This paper reviews Grass based cropping system improves carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change. It provides a unique opportunity to combine the twin objectives of climate change and carbon enhance in to the soil.