Abstract

MARIN Q., María del Pilar; ANDRADE, Hernán J.  and  SANDOVAL, Angélica P.. ATMOSPHERIC CARBON FIXATION IN THE TOTAL BIOMASS WITHIN COCOA PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF TOLIMA, COLOMBIA. rev.udcaactual.divulg.cient. [online]. 2016, vol.19, n.2, pp.351-360. ISSN 0123-4226.

The land use systems with woody perennials species, such as cacao plantations, mitigate climate change by capturing atmospheric CO₂. The aim of the study was to estimate the fixation of atmospheric carbon in total biomass in the most dominant cocoa production systems in Tolima, Colombia. The study was carried out in Rovira and Falan using a completely randomized experimental design with six cocoa production systems: monoculture, agroforestry system (SAF) with timber trees, SAF with avocado, SAF with citrus species, SAF with fruit trees and SAF with timber and fruit species with three replications. Two rectangular sampling plots 1000m² were established by sampling unit where trees with diameter of trunk at breast height (dbh) ≥ 10cm were identified and measured (dbh and total height - th). Two subplots of 256 m² by main plot, for measuring cocoa bushes were established: ht and trunk diameter at 30cm height (D³⁰). Allometric models to estimate biomass were used. The AFS with timber and fruit species and AFS with fruit species had the greatest biomass (122.0 and 72.5t/ha). In the AFS with timber and fruit species presented the highest carbon storage in biomass with 61.0t C/ha; whereas the greatest carbon fixation rate was 17.7 t/ha/year in AFS with citrus species. The results suggest that cocoa plantations that include other plant species diversify the production and increase food security and generation of environmental services, such as capturing atmospheric carbon.

Keywords : Total height; biomass; dbh; greenhouse gases; agroforestry systems.

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