PAU Holds A Talk On Soil Carbon Sequestration

Ludhiana, November 4, 2015: A lecture on “Soil Carbon Sequestration: Processes, Assessment Methods, and Limitations” was organized by the Ludhiana Chapter of Indian Society of Soil Science, Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) to commemorate the achievements of globally acclaimed doyen of soil science, Dr N.P. Datta. The lecture was also a part of celebrations of International Year of Soils-2015. An internationally recognized soil scientist, Dr Partap Khanna, formerly Senior Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO, Canberra, Australia delivered the lecture. Scientists and students from different departments of the University attended the talk. Besides, many retired soil scientists also attended the lecture.

Dr J.S. Dhiman, Additional Director of Research (NR&PHM), who was the Chief Guest, gave a bird’s eye view of soil health status of Punjab, especially, in the light of salutary effect of organic carbon on soil environment.

Dr H.S. Thind, President, Ludhiana Chapter of Indian Society of Soil Science and Head, Department of Soil Science elaborated upon meritorious academic journey of Dr Khanna and motivated the students to make a career in soil science research and teaching.

In his talk, Dr Khanna discussed the possibilities of carbon sequestration by soils of Punjab state in the light of current scenario of intensive agriculture in Punjab. He urged the scientists and the students to explore methods of turning in stable organic carbon in soils and laid bare the limitations imposed by spatial variability in reliable assessment of carbon storage in soils. He stressed upon the use of farmyard manure and nitrogen fixing bacteria for enhancing carbon inputs to soil.

Dr Dhanwinder Singh, Secretary of Ludhiana Chapter of Indian Society of Soil Science conducted the proceedings. Later, Dr H.S. Jassal, Vice President of the Chapter, proposed the vote of thanks.