Presentation at the 5th Global Science Conference on Climate-Smart Agriculture. Title: Perennial grain crops in the crop rotation for enhancing soil carbon sequestration and sustaining crop yields Speaker: Sikiru Yusuf Alasinrin

1. Perennial grain crops in the crop
rotation for enhancing soil carbon
sequestration and sustaining crop
yields
Sikiru Y. Alasinrin
Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria
CLIFF-GRADS Ph.D. Fellow
USDA, Agricultrure Research Service,
Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory,
Sidney, Montana, USA
“South-South collaboration: Key mechanism for building capacity
and scaling low-emissions technologies and practices”
October 10th, 2019

2. Introduction
Intermediate wheatgrass or Kernza
(Thinopyrum Intermedium L.) is a
perennial wheat whose grain can
be used as food and biomass as
animal feed or bioenergy
production.
Studies have shown that Kernza
has 12 to 13 times greater root
biomass than annual spring wheat.
As a result, inclusion of Kernza in
the rotation with annual crops may
enhance soil C sequestration and
sustain yields

3. Why is this a CSA innovative and scalable idea?
 Increased C sequestration in the above- and
belowground plant biomass and in the soil.
 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
 Ability to supply food for 3 to 4 years without the
need of planting every year.
 Efficient use of soil water and nutrients.
 Reduced fertilizers and pesticides requirements.
 Ability to grow easily in marginal lands.
 Reduced animal feed cost by supplying forages or
supplying biomass for bioenergy production.
 Increased soil health by increasing soil organic
matter.
 Additional income from C-credit markets.

4. How will this initiative benefit from a south-south
exchange?
Reduced soil erosion and desertification
Increased C sequestration
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
Increased soil fertility due to enhanced soil organic matter
Reduced chemical inputs
Sustained crop production
Ability to withstand crops against drought and flood
Enhanced farm income for producers
Increased exchange of knowledge among customers

5. Who will benefit from a south-south exchange?
How? What countries and/or regions?
• Farmers, producers, industrialists, students,
scientists, and policy makers in developing
countries.
• Arid and semiarid regions with limited
precipitation
• Africa, Asia, Latin America, Australia, and
South America

6. What are the main results or impacts expecting from
south-south collaborations?
Increased C sequestration
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
Reduced soil erosion
Sustained food production
Increased soil fertility
Enhanced farm income and livehood
Contact site: https://landinstitute.org/our-work/perennial-
crops/kernza/
Perennial Legumes, Perennial Rice, Perennial Oilseeds and
Perennial Sorghum