CARBON SINK AND BIO-CHEMICAL POTENTIALITY OF TWO LEGUME TREE SPECIES

Abstract

Interest in the carbon sink and bio-chemical potentiality of plants has increased efforts to explore the opportunities for climate change mitigation, to meet the growing bioenergy demand. This study was conducted with the objective to quantify the carbon sink and bio-chemical potentiality of Leucaena leucocephala and Peltophorum pterocarpum. Outstanding physiological performance, measured as photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf chlorophyll content and biomass production was observed to be the highest in L. leucocephala. Leucaena leucocephala was found to be active in photosynthesis at very high CO₂ concentrations. Likewise, L. leucocephala had a higher lignocellulose composition than P. pterocarpum. Also, a higher alpha-cellulose and hemicellulose content was observed in thin roots than in coarse roots and stem bark, while stem bark and coarse roots had higher level of lignin content. Overall results revealed that L. leucocephala had a good carbon sink potentiality and appeared to be a promising feedstock for high-value of biochemicals. Thus, it can be planted for climate change mitigation to fulfill future bioenergy and biochemical demand.