Carbon sequestration, the process by which marine and terrestrial trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and convert it into oxygen, plays a vital role in combating the greenhouse effect. It counters the excessive carbon dioxide emissions resulting from activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, among other detrimental human actions.
Planted forests are instrumental in carbon sequestration, making them invaluable allies in the fight against global warming. They restore the ecological balance and contribute significantly to this crucial process by reforesting deforested areas.
With unwavering confidence in the success of our project and the immense potential of our elite Pongamia varieties, KESSLER conducted an extensive comparative test of carbon sequestration and biomass gain using our groundbreaking 5781-A Pongamia variety on various soil types.
Our pilot plantation in the Negev desert has exceeded all expectations, as outlined in our previous update, with the remarkable achievement of producing fruits in just three years (!!!). The objective of this test was to gather critical insights and address the most challenging inquiries surrounding the resilience of our elite genetic varieties, the influence of different soil types on carbon sequestration and biomass growth, and the viability of cultivating trees—particularly our elite PONGAMIA 5781-A on severely degraded land.
The comprehensive test encompassed three distinct soil types:
Negev Desert: A barren and degraded soil
Potting Mix: A high-mineral soil typically used for cultivation
Central Israel: A soil representative of the Mediterranean climate
The experiment sought to evaluate the biomass increase and fixed carbon levels of the same genetic variant, 5781-A, under simultaneous and equally challenging conditions.
Similar to the remarkable results we reported on nitrogen fixation in our 5781-A variety, the highest nitrogen fixation occurred in the degraded soil. Equally impressive were the outcomes of carbon fixation and biomass growth.
The test adhered to specially developed agricultural technologies tailored to cultivating this variety, and the results presented in the chart below were duly marked and verified by researchers from the Agricultural Research Organization of Israel.
Upon comparing the findings related to nitrogen fixation, carbon fixation, and biomass gain with the ongoing research conducted at our pilot plantation in the Negev desert, we can confidently affirm that KESSLER's elite Pongamia 5781-A presents an outstanding opportunity for establishing carbon plantations on degraded and barren lands. Our variety facilitates the natural reclamation of these lands with exceptional success.
Our work's outcomes demonstrate that the fight against global warming and the pursuit of low-carbon renewable energy sources need not come at the expense of fertile agricultural soil or wasteful utilization of agricultural land to achieve energy objectives. Thanks to KESSLER and our elite varieties of the Pongamia tree, we will restore agricultural value to the soil and revitalize ecosystems in degraded areas while sequestering significant amounts of CO2.
