Carbon sequestration ability of tea plants [Camellia sinensis (L.) O.Kuntze]

Abstract

Tea plant is a strong sink of carbon. Carbon sequestration by tea cultivars was estimated. Sequestration of CO2 by different cultivars (clones) varied significantly. Cambod, Assam and Assam-China varieties sequestered the highest, medium and lowest quantities of CO2, respectively. One hectare of tea could sequester 43 tons of carbon annually. The top layer of the canopy sequestered significantly more carbon compared to the bottom layer of maintenance leaves. The leaf photosynthesis of tea increased linearly with the increasing concentration of CO2 around the bush canopy up to the level of 1150ppm beyond which it declined. Thus, tea plantation can contribute to stabilization of the increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration which, in other way, helps in stabilizing the effect on global warming.