Estimations of aerial biomass and secuestred carbon in Gliricidia sepium (lam.) and Leucaena leucocephala (jacq.) and its application in silvopastoral systems

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the potential of atmospheric carbon storage by Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala, through the quantification of biomass production and carbon content in stem, branches and foliage. This was done to estimate the potential it has to be included in the program whose central axis are silvopastoral systems and supply of environmental services in the study region. This was done -by using allometric equations- to estimate the potential of being included in a local technology innovation program, whose centerpiece is the silvopastoral systems and supply of environmental services in the region of study. The destructive sampling methodology included 30 trees of two forage-potentially species in central Chiapas, by integrating information on the diameter at breast height (DBH), total tree height and weights independent of stem, branches and foliage. We estimated the dry matter of each of the samples by drying them with forced air for 48 hours at 60 C in a drying oven. We also determined the carbon content with the analizer CHN. With the obtained data, a series of exponential and logarithmic models were adjusted by using statistical software. In the case of L. leucocephala best-fit model was In (ba) = -1,46 + 1,69 In (DBH) and G. sepium model ba = 3,27e0,075 (DAP). The results indicate that L. leucocephala has a higher above-ground biomass production and consequently greater potential to store atmospheric carbon than Gliricidia sepium. This choice favors the establishment of silvopastoral practices and future research aimed at technological innovation to address sustainable farming in Chiapas, Mexico.