Introduction:

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is one of the most popular and widely cultivated fruits in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. India is the largest producer of mangoes, contributing to nearly 50% of the world’s total production. With vast mango orchards spread across the country, these orchards have the potential to act as significant carbon sinks, aiding in the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon Sequestration in Mango Orchards:

Biomass Accumulation:

Mature mango trees can store considerable amounts of carbon in their biomass. A study conducted in India showed that a mature mango tree can store up to 250 kg of carbon in its above-ground biomass (Patil et al., 2012).

Soil Carbon Storage:

In addition to tree biomass, the soils of mango orchards, especially those managed with organic practices or minimal tillage, can accumulate and store substantial amounts of carbon. This is often due to the rich organic matter content, mulching, and leaf litter decomposition (Ghosh et al., 2013).

Agroforestry Systems:

Integrating mango trees into agroforestry systems, where they are grown alongside other crops or trees, can further enhance carbon sequestration. This not only boosts carbon storage but also promotes biodiversity and enhances ecosystem services (Nair, 2012).

Role in Climate Change Mitigation:

• Carbon Storage: By sequestering carbon in their biomass and soils, mango orchards directly remove CO₂ from the atmosphere, reducing the overall concentration of this greenhouse gas.
• Reduced Land-Use Change Emissions: Establishing and maintaining mango orchards can prevent the conversion of these lands to other uses that might release stored carbon, such as deforestation for other forms of agriculture or urban development.
• Renewable Resources: Mango trees provide timber and other non-timber forest products, which can act as renewable resources and reduce pressure on natural forests.

Conclusion:

Mango orchards in India have a substantial potential to act as carbon offsets. Their role in carbon sequestration, coupled with the economic and social benefits they bring, highlights the importance of conserving and expanding these orchards as a strategy against climate change.

References and Citations:

1. Patil, S.L., Sheelavantar, M.N., & Sadashivaiah, C. (2012). Biomass and carbon storage potential of different aged mango (Mangifera indica) orchards in northern transitional zone of Karnataka. Current Biotica, 6(2), 228-235.
2. Ghosh, B.N., Dogra, P., Sharma, N.K., Bhattacharyya, R., & Mishra, P.K. (2013). Soil organic carbon stock and fractions in relation to land use and soil depth in the degraded shiwaliks hills of lower Himalayas. Land Degradation & Development, 24(4), 334-343.
3. Nair, P.K.R. (2012). Climate change mitigation: A low-hanging fruit of agroforestry. In Agroforestry – The Future of Global Land Use (pp. 31-67). Springer, Dordrecht.