Effect of using Agrogeotextiles on soil carbon sequestration in the Indian Himalayas

Agrogeotextiles (AGT) have potential for soil conservation, but limited information is available on effect of AGT C sequestration and aggregation in Indian Himalayan region (IHR). Hence, the study was conducted a 4% slope at Selakui, Dehradun maize-based cropping system where Arundo donax mats were used as conservation. Soil sampling done December 2021 after vegetable pea harvest results indicated that 0–15 cm depth, Maize + mat (10 thick) 0.5 m vertical interval - wheat (M+A10D0.5-V-W) had ~23% higher total organic (TSOC) bulk soils than control (M-W) plots. Plots with exhibited ~12% TSOC plots without mats. under M+A10D0.5-V-W maize-vegetable pea-wheat bench terracing (M-V-W)B showed similar impacts sequestration. ~36% greater macroaggregate ~35% mean weight diameter (MWD) M-W depth. Microbial biomass (MBC) enhanced by ~86% over depth due to root biomass, exudates metabolizable C. Thus, microbial quotient (MQ) also increased. Mean annual loss value 2020–2021 2021–2022 ranged from 0.4 t/ha/yr 2.9 which correlated carbon management index (CMI) value. The CMI ~38% emplacement mats, resulting better aggregate stability. application can be practice stability IHR. Conservation practices along are more profitable conservation alone ~10% less benefit : cost ratio (B:C) land slopes