Browsing by Author "Chandini Pradhan"

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Agroforestry Systems: An Effective Toolfor Carbon Sequestration
(Apple Academic Press, 2024) Chandini Pradhan; A.K. Ghosh; Preeti Singh; Rajendra Gadhwal
The consequences of global warming on climate change (CC) are now evident to all. The escalating level of greenhouse gases is the root cause of global warming is the increase in greenhouse gases (GHGs). As per reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) the levels of current GHG, especially CO2 have increased drastically about 30% in the atmosphere as compared to the pre-industrial levels. Such drastic increase of CO2 has occurred due to anthropogenic activities like vehicular emission due to combustion of fossil fuels, emission from industries and replacement of tropical forests by agricultural lands. In order to mitigate this hazard C-sequestration has emerged as an effective way wherein the atmospheric carbon is being converted and stored in a form that is unavailable. In terms of sequestration, plant and soil organic carbon (SOC) act as an excellent carbon sink (25% of global carbon (GC) stocks, i.e., 2,000 ± 500 Pg) and their benefits can be maximized if they are managed and manipulated in various biomes. One such option is agroforestry systems which judiciously combine the woody perennials or trees with crops, livestock, and pastures for deriving maximum ecological benefit from their interaction. The tree component in such systems serve as a long-term sink for carbon. Moreover, agroforestry systems have the ability to sequester carbon both in the aboveground andbelowground biomass portions as well as soil. It is estimated that the agroforestry systems can potentially store approximately up to 30–300 Mg C ha–1 in one meter soil depth. Thus, the chapter encapsulates brief definitions, extent, and types of agroforestry systems present across world, mechanism C-sequestration by agroforestry systems and ancillary benefits associated with them. In addition, some lights have been thrown on international policies for promoting agroforestry all of the world, their execution, loopholes, and recommendations. © 2025 by Apple Academic Press, Inc.
Carbon Sequestration in Revegetated Coal Mine Soil: A Chronosequence Study in the Gevra Opencast Project, Chhattisgarh, India
(wiley, 2024) Preeti Singh; Amlan Kumar Ghosh; Ebhin Masto; Santosh Kumar; Chandini Pradhan
Coal, contributing to over 70% of India’s energy production, is intrinsically linked to significant land degradation, notably from mining operations. One of the adverse effects of coal mining is the greenhouse gas emissions from coal combustion, fallen biomass, and mineralization of exposed soil organic matter (SOM). This degradation often results in a significant reduction of SOM content in disturbed soils, which can potentially be countered by targeted soil restoration and strategic revegetation. This study, based in Gevra Coal Mines, Chhattisgarh, probes into the intricacies of soil carbon (SOC) sequestration, focusing on the roles played by plant litter quality and decomposition rates. Through the analysis of different carbon parameters from soil samples collected under the three native plant species - Azadirachta indica, Dalbergia sissoo, and Gmelina arborea, the research underscores that litter quality, more than quantity, is pivotal to effective carbon sequestration. As vegetation gets restored, a resistant SOC pool accumulates, which further contributes to long-term SOC sequestration. With time, SOC molecules undergo humification, becoming more aromatic and stable. The molecular properties of these molecules play a critical role in defining soil quality in reclaimed areas. Spectroscopic methodologies, such as FT-IR and UV-vis, emerged as valuable tools to discern SOC molecular attributes and their dynamics. Of the tree species studied, D. sissoo demonstrated superiority in both quality and quantity of sequestered carbon. In conclusion, the research reaffirms the indispensable need for robust afforestation measures in coal mining areas. As vegetation gets restored, not only is carbon effectively sequestered, but soil health is gradually revived, emphasizing the role of strategic revegetation in post-mining landscapes. © 2025 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Changes in degree of phosphorus saturation and risk of P loss upon twelve years of manuring and reduced tillage
(Elsevier B.V., 2021) Satya Narayana Pradhan; A.K. Ghosh; Seema; Shankar Ram; Yogesh Pal; Chandini Pradhan
Adoption of minimum tillage and application of fertilizer integrated with farmyard manure in the long-term has been envisaged to sustain rice-based cropping systems in the Indo-Gangetic plains of India. However, substitution of mineral fertilizer based on crop N requirement results not only in increase of the total P load but also in the distribution of P fractions and soil properties that influence P adsorption. A twelve year old experiment consisting of two tillage (conventional, CT and minimum, MT tillage) and three fertilization treatments (100% inorganic fertilization, IF, 100 and 50% organic fertilization, OF) was examined to unravel the relationship between tillage and manuring effects on distribution of soil P forms vis-à-vis soil test P and how it relates to degree of P saturation (DPS). Reduced tillage intensity and organic fertilization resulted in increase of all P fractions and soluble P. Olsen-P varied from 3.4 to 59.4 mg kg−1 and was exponentially (NH4F-P/NaOH-P) or linearly (Occ-P/H2SO4-P) related to P fractions by direct or indirect effects. Increase in pH and total organic carbon coupled with increase in P load especially in OF and MT treatments resulted in decrease in the P maximum adsorption capacity (PMAC) and P bonding energy of the soil. Consequently, the degree of phosphorus saturation increased with decrease in PMAC and a change point was noted at 13.62% DPS above which soluble P increased more rapidly. Olsen P, which is used as an index of P availability, increased with reduction of tillage and organic manure addition and was closely associated with all the P fractions and DPS. The Olsen P at the change point DPS was 50.4 mg kg−1 which indicated risk of P losses and hence could be used as an index for risk assessment and identify soils that need to be managed agronomically and environmentally to avoid P losses to the environment. © 2021 Elsevier B.V.
Climate-Smart Agriculture: An Integrated Approach to Address Climate Change and Food Security
(CRC Press, 2023) Prasanta Kumar Majhi; Ipsita Samal; Tanmaya Kumar Bhoi; Prachi Pattnaik; Chandini Pradhan; Akhilesh Gupta; Deepak Kumar Mahanta; Subrat Kumar Senapati
Climate change is undoubtedly one of the most complicated social and environmental problems the world is facing right now. This is especially true in developing countries, where climate change has been linked to things like unsustainable land management, land degradation, and greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems. All of these things lead to less agricultural production, which puts food security at risk. An increase in GHGs, largely attributable to human activity, has altered earth’s climate during the past few millennia. Similarly, increasing production costs have negatively impacted crop and livestock productivity due to climate change. This is evident in more erratic and inconsistent rainfall patterns, major floods, frequent droughts, increased pests and disease rates, and inconsistent agricultural planting seasons. Decreased agricultural output due to a failure to adjust to shifting climate conditions has severe effects on both food security and economic expansion. Increased adaptability to climate change, mitigation of climate change, and global food security through new policies, practises, and funding are the three issue areas that climate-smart agriculture (CSA) addresses simultaneously to aid agricultural systems around the world. Adopting CSA methods is crucial for economic development, food security, environmental sustainability, and ecosystem protection in developing nations because it helps the farming community mitigate the effects of climate change on agriculture. Though many resources have been poured towards improving CSA in developing nations, it has not led to widespread adoption of CSA principles on farms there. Nevertheless, CSA is highly recommended as a key component to the expansion of the agricultural sector because of the crucial function it serves. Maintaining agricultural output in the face of climate change and reducing GHG emissions necessitates the adoption of CSA on the field level. © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Habib Ali, Youming Hou, and Muhammad Bilal Tahir; individual chapters, the contributors.
Engineered biochar: potential application toward agricultural and environmental sustainability
(Elsevier, 2024) Asik Dutta; Abhik Patra; Pooja Nain; Surendra Singh Jatav; Ram Swaroop Meena; Sayon Mukharjee; Ankita Trivedi; Kiran Kumar Mohapatra; Chandini Pradhan
Refined physiochemical characteristics and sustainable nature make engineered biochar a perfect choice to tackle different agricultural issues in the present circumstances. Multifaceted functional groups with stable C-matrix can serve as a superior carrier for essential nutrients, thereby revamping nutrient use efficiency (NUE). Apart from NUE, engineered biochar’s are excellent as an alternative to fight against climate change and sequester atmospheric carbon-di-oxide (CO2). It improves soil aeration and prevents the formation of methane (CH4). Also, researchers reported a high C:N ratio in modified biochar combat nitrous oxide emission by (N2O) curtailing greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. But, due to constraints from production technology and the environmental applications point of view scientists have tried different avenues like co-composting, co-pyrolysis or introducing polymers for making biochar-based slow-release fertilizer (BSRF), but loopholes are still there. However, long-term on-field evaluation, production feasibility and sustainability need to be studied extensively besides manufacturing and characterizing these biochar-based products. Therefore, in this present chapter, an endeavor has been made to summarize important aspects of engineered biochar’s like production technology and physiochemical properties. Also, a detailed discussion has been made regarding the application of engineered biochar to improve nutrient use efficacy and combat climate change. Therefore, in a nutshell for sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation, engineered biochars are potent options in years to come. © 2024 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.