Fruit tree-based agroforestry systems and their carbon sequestration potentials in different ecosystem of Bangladesh

Fruit tree based profitable agroforestry systems were investigated in different ecosystem of Bangladesh through an intensive survey and also calculated their carbon sequestration potential by algorithmic method to mitigate climate change. The major ecosystem of Bangladesh namely Coastal ecosystem (Khulna and Satkhira district), Barind ecosystem (Rajshahi and Dinajpur district), Terrace ecosystem (Gazipur and Narsingdi district) and Hill ecosystem (Rangamati and Khagrachari district) were considered. The study revealed that, jackfruit, mango, litchi, guava and ber based agroforestry systems were the most suitable considering benefit cost ratio (BCR) and land equivalent ratio (LER). The most profitable agroforestry systems were Mango+Lemon+Guava-Chilli (2.93), Litchi-Papaya-Bottlegourd (2.62), Ber-Okra-Redamaranth (2.52) and Jackfruit-Papaya-Brinjal (2.05) in hill, barind, coastal and terrace and ecosystem, respectively considering benefit cost ratio (BCR).On the other hand, considering the values of land equivalent ratio (LER), Mango-Frenchbean-Cabbage (3.14) in hill, Jackfruit-Lemon+Malta+Orange-Papaya-Brinjal (2.73) in terrace, Mango-Papaya-Okra (2.23) in coastal, and Litchi-Sweetgourd-Brinjal (1.98) in barind ecosystem. The total amount of carbon stock in agroforestry under different ecosystem varied significantly. Total carbon stock was estimated by summing the carbon of tree and the carbon of soil. Significantly the total highest carbon stock was recorded in terrace ecosystem (207.6 tha-1 ) followed by barind ecosystem (174.62 tha-1 ). The lowest carbon stock was recorded in hill ecosystem (155.42 tha-1 ).

Key words: Fruit tree, agroforestry system, carbon sequestration.