Water Management Influencing Methane and Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Rice Field in Relation to Soil Redox and Microbial Community

Abstract

Methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from an irrigated rice field under continuous flooding and intermittent irrigation water management practices in northern China were measured in situ by the static chamber technique during May to October in 2000. The intermittent irrigation reduced total growing‐season CH₄ emission by 24.22% but increased N₂O emission by 23.72%, when compared with the continuous flooding. Soil Eh and four related bacterial groups were also measured to clarify their effects on gaseous emissions. Three ranges of soil redox potential were related to gas emissions: below ?100 mV with vigorous CH₄ emission, above +100 mV with significant N₂O emission, and +100 to ?100 mV with little CH₄ and N₂O emissions. Intermittently draining the field increased soil oxidation, with a decrease in CH₄ emission and an increase in N₂O emission. In general the mid‐season drainage slightly increased the populations of methanotrophs, nitrifiers, and denitrifiers but decreased that of methanogens.     

Methane uptake and nitrous oxide emission in Japanese forest soils and their relationship to soil and vegetation types

Abstract

To determine the means and variations in CH₄ uptake and N₂O emission in the dominant soil and vegetation types to enable estimation of annual gases fluxes in the forest land of Japan, we measured monthly fluxes of both gases using a closed-chamber technique at 26 sites throughout Japan over 2 years. No clear seasonal changes in CH₄ uptake rates were observed at most sites. N₂O emission was mostly low throughout the year, but was higher in summer at most sites. The annual mean rates of CH₄ uptake and N₂O emission (all sites combined) were 66 (2.9–175) µg CH₄-C m^?2 h^?1 and 1.88 (0.17–12.5) µg N₂O-N m^?2 h^?1, respectively. Annual changes in these fluxes over the 2 years were small. Significant differences in CH₄ uptake were found among soil types (P < 0.05). The mean CH₄ uptake rates (µg CH₄-C m^?2 h^?1) were as follows: Black soil (95 ± 39, mean ± standard deviation [SD]) > Brown forest soil (60 ± 27) ≥ other soils (20 ± 24). N₂O emission rates differed significantly among vegetation types (P < 0.05). The mean N₂O emission rates (µg N₂O-N m^?2 h^?1) were as follows: Japanese cedar (4.0 ± 2.3) ≥ Japanese cypress (2.6 ± 3.4) > hardwoods (0.8 ± 2.2) = other conifers (0.7 ± 1.4). The CH₄ uptake rates in Japanese temperate forests were relatively higher than those in Europe and the USA (11–43 µg CH₄-C m^?2 h^?1), and the N₂O emission rates in Japan were lower than those reported for temperate forests (0.23–252 µg N₂O-N m^?2 h^?1). Using land area data of vegetation cover and soil distribution, the amount of annual CH₄ uptake and N₂O emission in the Japanese forest land was estimated to be 124 Gg CH₄-C year^?1 with 39% uncertainty and 3.3 Gg N₂O-N year^?1 with 76% uncertainty, respectively.     

Is burial of wheat straw in ditches a way to reduce CH4 emissions from rice cultivation?

Abstract

Burial of wheat straw in ditches and incorporation of wheat straw are the two main ways of returning wheat straw prior to rice cultivation in China. To examine the effect of burying wheat straw in ditches on CH₄ emissions from rice cultivation, a field experiment was conducted at Yixing, Jiangsu, China in 2004. CH₄ flux was measured using a closed-chamber technique in three treatments (CK, no wheat straw application; WI, evenly incorporating 3.75 t ha^?1 wheat straw into the 0.1 m topsoil; WD, burying 3.75 t ha^?1 wheat straw in 0.14-m deep by 0.25-m wide ditches). Seasonal CH₄ emissions ranged from 49.7 to 218.4 kg CH₄ ha^?1. The application of wheat straw in these two ways significantly increased CH₄ emissions by 4.0-fold and 4.4-fold, respectively (P < 0.05). Although CH₄ flux from the non-ditch area in the WD treatment was as low as that in the CK treatment, it was counter-balanced by extremely high CH₄ flux from the ditch, which was approximately 6.0-fold as much as that from WI, leading to comparability between treatments WI and WD in total CH₄ emissions (P > 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the three treatments in grain yield (P > 0.05). The results indicated that burial of wheat straw in ditches is not a way to reduce CH₄ emission from rice cultivation.     

Effect of nitrogen fertilization on methane and carbon dioxide production potential in relation to labile carbon pools in tropical flooded rice soils in eastern India

In an incubation experiment with flooded rice soil fertilized with different N amounts and sampled at different rice stages, the methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) production in relation to soil labile carbon (C) pools under two temperature (35°C and 45°C) and moisture (aerobic and submerged) regimes were investigated. The field treatments imposed in the wet season included unfertilized control and 40, 80 and 120 kg ha^?1 N fertilization. The production of CH₄ was significantly higher (27%) under submerged compared to aerobic conditions, whereas CO₂ production was significantly increased under aerobic by 21% compared to submerged conditions. The average labile C pools were significantly increased by 21% at the highest dose of N (120 kg ha^?1) compared to control and was found highest at rice panicle initiation stage. But the grain yield had significantly responded only up to 80 kg ha^?1 N, although soil labile C as well as gaseous C emission was noticed to be highest at 120 kg ha^?1 N. Hence, 80 kg N ha^?1 is a better option in the wet season at low land tropical flooded rice in eastern India for sustaining grain yield and minimizing potential emission of CO₂ and CH₄.     

Effects of water content and N addition on potential greenhouse gas production from two differently textured soils under laboratory conditions

GHGs production and emission may vary depending on soil physical properties, water management and fertilization. Two paddy soils characterized by different texture were incubated to evaluate the impact of flooding (permanent or intermittent) and N addition on potential N₂O, CH₄ and CO₂ production and release into atmosphere and soil solution. Relationships with volumetric water content (VWC) and water filled pore space (WFPS) were evaluated. Overall, the finer clayey soil (CL) produced 58% more CH₄ than the coarser sandy soil (SA) and showed an earlier sink to source transition; the difference was lower with N addition. Permanent flooding favoured the amount of dissolved CH₄. SA produced more N₂O emissions than CL under permanent flooding (31.0 vs. 3.7%); an opposite pattern was observed for dissolved N₂O (16.4 vs. 52.7%). Fertilization increased N₂O emissions under dry conditions in CL and under flooding in SA.

Our findings showed that i) VWC had a larger influence on N₂O and CH₄ emissions than WFPS, ii) soil type influenced the gas release into atmosphere or soil solution and the timing of sink to source transition in CH₄ emissions. Further investigation on timing of fertilization and drainage are needed to improve climate change mitigation strategies.     

Short-term effect of urea on CH4 flux under the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) on tropical peatland in Sarawak,Malaysia

Abstract

Methane flux was measured monthly from August 2002 to July 2003 at an oil palm plantation on tropical peatland in Sarawak, Malaysia, using a closed chamber technique. Urea was applied twice, once in November 2002 and once in May 2003. The monthly CH₄ flux ranged from ?32.78 to 4.17 µg C m^?2 h^?1. Urea applications increased CH₄ emissions in the month of application and emissions remained slightly higher a month later before the effect disappeared in the third month after application (i.e. back to CH₄ uptake). This effect was the result of increased soil NH⁺ ₄ content that was not immediately absorbed by the oil palm following urea application, which reduced the oxidation of CH₄, resulting in its enhanced emission. By using the Cate–Nelson linear-plateau model, the critical soil NH⁺ ₄ content causing CH₄ emissions in the oil palm ecosystem was 42.75 mg kg^?1 soil. However, the inhibitory effect of NH⁺ ₄ on the oxidation of CH₄ was mitigated by low rainfall and the pyrophosphate solubility index (PSI), where the former might increase oxidation of CH₄ and the latter was a reflection of the low soluble substrate for methane production. Thus, the splitting and timing of urea applications are important not only to optimize oil palm yield, but also to reduce soil NH⁺ ₄ content to minimize CH₄ emissions and, therefore, its potential negative impact on the environment.     

Rice straw incorporation in winter with fertilizer-N application improves soil fertility and reduces global warming potential from a double rice paddy field

Proper rice straw management in paddy fields is necessary in order to sustain soil productivity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A field experiment was carried out from 2008 to 2011 in subtropical China: (1) to monitor rice yield, soil available nutrients, CH₄, and N₂O emissions and (2) to evaluate the effects of timing of rice straw incorporation and joint N application rate in a double rice cropping system. The total amount of rice straw from one cropping season was incorporated in winter (W_S) or in spring (S_S) and mineral N was jointly applied with rice straw incorporation at rates of 0, 30, and 60 % of the basal fertilization rate (N_0B, N_30B, and N_60B) for the first rice crop. Soil water was naturally drained during the period of winter fallow (P_WF) and controlled under intermittent irrigation during the period of first rice growth (P_FR). Compared with S_S, W_S significantly (P?<?0.05) increased the first rice yield only in the flooding year (2010), and increased the soil available K concentration after P_WF and P_FR in 2008–2009 and the hydrolysable N concentration after P_WF in 2010–2011. Meanwhile, W_S significantly decreased the total CH₄ emission by about 12 % in 2009–2010 and 2010–2011, but increased the total N₂O emission by 15–43 % particularly during P_WF in all 3 years, resulting in a lower GWP in W_S in the flooding year and no differences in the nonflooding years. Compared with N_0B, joint N application (N_60B and N_30B) increased the soil hydrolysable N after P_WF in all 3 years. Meanwhile, it decreased the total CH₄ emissions by 21 % and increased the N₂O emissions during P_WF by 75–150 % in the nonflooding years, but the net GWP was lower in N_60B than in N_0B. The results suggested that the rice straw incorporation with joint N application in winter is more sustainable compared with the local practices such as rice straw incorporation in spring or open-field burning.     

Suppressing methane emission and global warming potential from rice fields through intermittent drainage and green biomass amendment

Winter cover crops are recommended to improve soil quality and carbon sequestration, although their use as green manure can significantly increase methane (CH₄) emission from paddy soils. Soil management practices can be used to reduce CH₄ emission from paddy soils, but intermittent drainage is regarded as a key practice to reduce CH₄ emission and global warming potential (GWP). However, significantly greater emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) are expected when large amounts of cover crop biomass are incorporated into soils. In this study, we investigated the effects of midseason drainage on CH₄ emission and GWP following incorporation of 0, 3, 6 and 12 Mg/ha of cover crop biomass. Methane, CO₂ and N₂O emission rates significantly (P < 0.05) increased with higher rates of cover crop biomass incorporation under both irrigation conditions. However, intermittent drainage effectively reduced seasonal CH₄ fluxes by ca. 42–46% and GWP by 17–31% compared to continuous flooding. Moreover, there were no significant differences in rice yield between the two water management practices with similar biomass incorporation rates. In conclusion, intermittent drainage and incorporation of 3 Mg/ha of green biomass could be a good management option to reduce GWP.     

Is alternate wetting and drying irrigation technique enough to reduce methane emission from a tropical rice paddy?

Combination of a pre-season wet soil condition and rice straw incorporation just before transplanting, which is typical for a tropical rice double cropping, can induce a flash of methane (CH₄) emission shortly after the transplanting. The conventional practice of alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation technique that typically starts at 21 days after transplanting (DAT) can hardly reduce this emission because the soil become methanogenic before the onset of AWD treatment. Field experiments were conducted in Central Luzon, Philippines, during the 2014–2017 dry rice seasons to examine the effects of the timing of rice straw/stubble incorporation on the efficacy of AWD in reducing the CH₄ emission. Two treatments of the timing of stubble incorporation were stubbles incorporated during the start of wet land preparation (S1) and stubbles incorporated during the dry fallow tillage (S2). For the water management, we compared two treatments: continuous flooding (CF) and AWD with – 15 cm threshold for irrigation. The AWD under S2 was implemented earlier at 10 DAT. We observed a significant interaction (p < 0.01) between effects of AWD and straw management on CH₄ emissions; the seasonal total CH₄ emission was reduced by AWD compared with CF by 73% under S2, while the reduction was <20% under S1. The AWD significantly (p < 0.05) increased the nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions by 47 and 48% relative to CF under S1 and S2, respectively. The global warming potential (GWP, CH₄ + N₂O) and yield-scaled GWP were still substantially lower by 62 and 59%, respectively, in AWD than in CF under S2, but the reduction was not realized under S1 due to the relatively smaller CH₄ reduction and increased N₂O emission. The results confirm that pre-season aerobic stubble decomposition and earlier implementation of AWD enhanced AWD’s mitigation potential in reducing substantially the CH₄ emission from the tropical rice double-cropping system.     

Methane emission from paddy fields in Taiwan

 In order to investigate the effect of environmental conditions on CH₄ emission from paddy fields in Taiwan, four locations, two cropping seasons and two irrigation systems were studied. CH₄ emission was high at the active tillering and the booting stages in the first cropping season, whereas it was low at the transplanting and the ripening stages with an intermittent irrigation system. CH₄ emission was high at the transplanting stage in the second cropping season, and decreased gradually during rice cultivation. Daily temperature and light intensity increased gradually during rice growth in the first cropping season (February–June), while it was reversed in the second cropping season (August–December). The seasonal CH₄ emission from paddy fields ranged from 1.73 to 11.70 g m^–2, and from 10.54 to 39.50 g m^–2 in the first and second cropping seasons, respectively. The seasonal CH₄ emission in the second cropping season was higher than that in the first cropping season in all test fields. The seasonal CH₄ emission was 32.65 mg m^–2 in the first cropping season of the National Taiwan University paddy field with continuous flooding, and it was 28.85 mg m^–2 in the second cropping season. The annual CH₄ emission ranged from 12.3 to 49.3 g m^–2 with an intermittent irrigation system, and the value was 61.5 g m^–2 with a continuous flooding treatment. The annual CH₄ emission from paddy fields was estimated to be 0.034 Tg in 1997 from 364,212 ha of paddy fields with an intermittent irrigation system, which was less than the 0.241 Tg calculated by the IPCC method with a continuous flooding treatment Received: 23 February 2000     

中国亚热带中部三峡库区不同土地利用方式下甲烷氧化潜力研究

To compare the CH4 oxidation potential among diferent land uses and seasons,and to observe its response to monsoon precipitation pattern and carbon and nitrogen parameters,a one-year study was conducted for diferent land uses (vegetable field,tilled and non-tilled orchard,upland crops and pine forest) in central subtropical China.Results showed significant diferences in CH4 oxidation potential among diferent land uses(ranging from 3.08 to 0.36 kg CH4 ha-1 year-1).Upland with corn-peanut-sweet potato rotation showed the highest CH4 emission,while pine forest showed the highest CH4 oxidation potential among all land uses.Non-tilled citrus orchard (0.72±0.08 kg CH4 ha-1 year-1)absorbed two times more CH4 than tilled citrus orchard(0.38±0.06kg CH4 ha-1 year-1).Irrespective of diferent vegetation,inorganic N fertilizer application significantly influenced CH4 fluxes across the sites (R2=0.86,P=0.002).Water-filled pore space,soil microbial biomass carbon,and dissolved nitrogen showed significant efects across diferent land uses (31% to 38% of variability)in one linear regression model.However,their cumulative interaction was significant for pine forest only,which might be attributed to undisturbed microbial communities legitimately responding to other variables,leading to net CH4 oxidation in the soil.These results suggested that i)natural soil condition tended to create win-win situation for CH4 oxidation,and agricultural activities could disrupt the oxidation potentials of the soils;and ii)specific management practices including but not limiting to efficient fertilizer application and utilization,water use efciency,and less soil disruption might be required to increase the CH4 uptake from the soil.     

Potential of prolonged midseason drainage for reducing methane emission from rice paddies in Japan: a long-term simulation using the DNDC-Rice model

Water management practices, such as midseason drainage (MD) and intermittent irrigation, are effective in reducing methane (CH₄) emission from irrigated rice paddies. In a previous study in which two-year field experiments were conducted at nine sites across Japan, prolonged MD was found to reduce the seasonal total CH₄ emission by 30.5?±?6.7 % (mean?±?95 % confidence interval) compared with conventional MD without compromising rice grain yield. However, the degree of CH₄ reduction by water management is dependent on prevailing weather conditions. To estimate the mean effect of prolonged MD on CH₄ emission at the nine sites with rice straw application, we conducted a long-term (20 years) simulation using a process-based biogeochemistry model, the DNDC-Rice. The model adjusted using site-specific parameters was able to reproduce the measured magnitude of the total CH₄ emission and the suppressive effect of prolonged MD. The number of nonrainy days during MD explained the degree of CH₄ reduction for each site and all sites combined. In the simulation, mean reduction percentage was 20.1?±?5.6 % when acceptable prolonged MD (i.e., having less than 15 % yield loss) was applied compared with conventional MD. The discrepancy of the percentage between measurement and simulation was primarily attributable to longer nonrainy days during prolonged MD at several sites in the measurement than the mean of 20-year simulation. We therefore conclude that the long-term simulation better represents the mean reduction percentage of CH₄ emission by prolonged MD relative to conventional MD at the nine sites across Japan.     

Responses of methane emissions and rice yield to applications of biochar and straw in a paddy field

Purpose

Directly returning straw back to the paddy field would significantly accelerate methane (CH₄) emission, although it may conserve and sustain soil productivity. The application of biochar (biomass-derived charcoal) in soil has been proposed as a sustainable technology to reduce methane (CH₄) emission and increase crop yield. We compared the effects of either biochar or rice straw addition with a paddy field on CH₄ emission and rice yield.

Materials and methods

A 2-year field experiment was conducted to investigate a single application of rice straw biochar (SC) and bamboo biochar (BC) (at 22.5 t ha^?1) in paddy soil on CH₄ emission and rice yield as compared with the successive application (6 t ha^?1) of rice straw (RS). Soil chemical properties and methanogenic and CH₄ oxidation activities in response to the amendment of biochar and rice straw were monitored to explain possible mechanism.

Results and discussion

SC was more efficient in reducing CH₄ emission from paddy field than BC. Incorporating SC into paddy field could decrease CH₄ emission during the rice growing cycle by 47.30 %–86.43 % compared with direct return of RS. This was well supported by the significant decrease of methanogenic activity in paddy field with SC. In comparison to a non-significant increase with BC or RS application, rice yield was significantly raised with SC amendment by 13.5 % in 2010 and 6.1 % in 2011. An enhancement of available K and P and an improvement in soil properties with SC amendment might be the main contributors to the increased crop yield.

Conclusions

These results indicated that conversion of RS into biochar instead of directly returning it to the paddy field would be a promising method to reduce CH₄ emission and increase rice yield.     

Methane and nitrous oxide emissions from organic and conventional rice cropping systems in Southeast China

To evaluate the impacts of organic cropping system on global warming potentials (GWPs), field measurements of CH₄ and N₂O were taken in conventional and organic rice (Oryza sativa L.) cropping systems in southeast China. Rice paddies were under various water regimes, including continuous flooding (F), flooding–midseason drainage–reflooding (F-D-F), and flooding–midseason drainage–reflooding and moisture but without waterlogging (F-D-F-M). Nitrogen was applied at the rate of 100 kg N ha^?1, as urea-N or pelletized, dehydrated manure product in conventional or organic rice paddies, respectively. Seasonal fluxes of CH₄ averaged 4.44, 2.14, and 1.75 mg m^?2 h^?1 for the organic paddy plots under the water regimes of F, F-D-F and F-D-F-M, respectively. Relative to conventional rice paddies, organic cropping systems increased seasonal CH₄ emissions by 20%, 23%, and 35% for the plots under the water regimes of F, F-D-F, and F-D-F-M, respectively. Under the water regimes of F-D-F and F-D-F-M, seasonal N₂O-N emissions averaged 10.85 and 13.66 μg m^?2 h^?1 in organic rice paddies, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in conventional rice paddies. The net global warming potentials (GWPs) of CH₄ and N₂O emissions from organic rice paddies relative to conventional rice paddies were significantly higher or comparable under various water regimes. The greenhouse gas intensities were greater, while carbon efficiency ratios were lower in organic relative to conventional rice paddies. The results of this study suggest that organic cropping system might not be an effective option for mitigating the combined climatic impacts from CH₄ and N₂O in paddy rice production.     

CO2, CH4 and N2O fluxes of upland black spruce (Picea mariana) forest soils after forest fires of different intensity in interior Alaska

Abstract

Forest fires can change the greenhouse gase (GHG) flux of borea forest soils. We measured carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) fluxes with different burn histories in black spruce (Picea mariana) stands in interior Alaska. The control forest (CF) burned in 1920; partially burned (PB) in 1999; and severely burned (SB1 and SB2) in 2004. The thickness of the organic layer was 22 ± 6 cm at CF, 28 ± 10 cm at PB, 12 ± 6 cm at SB1 and 4 ± 2 cm at SB2. The mean soil temperature during CO₂ flux measurement was 8.9 ± 3.1, 6.4 ± 2.1, 5.9 ± 3.4 and 5.0 ± 2.4°C at SB2, SB1, PB and CF, respectively, and differed significantly among the sites (P < 0.01). The mean CO₂ flux was highest at PB (128 ± 85 mg CO₂-C m^?2 h^?1) and lowest at SB1 (47 ± 19 mg CO₂-C m^?2 h^?1) (P < 0.01), and within each site it was positively correlated with soil temperature (P < 0.01). The CO₂ flux at SB2 was lower than that at CF when the soil temperature was high. We attributed the low CO₂ flux at SB1 and SB2 to low root respiration and organic matter decomposition rates due to the 2004 fire. The CH₄ uptake rate was highest at SB1 [–91 ± 21 μg CH₄-C m^?2 h^?1] (P < 0.01) and positively correlated with soil temperature (P < 0.01) but not soil moisture. The CH₄ uptake rate increased with increasing soil temperature because methanotroph activity increased. The N₂O flux was highest [3.6 ± 4.7 μg N₂O-N m^?2 h^?1] at PB (P < 0.01). Our findings suggest that the soil temperature and moisture are important factors of GHG dynamics in forest soils with different fire history.     

Soil carbon budget in a single-cropping paddy field with rice straw application and water management based on soil redox potential

Abstract

An ideal state for agroecosystems to mitigate global warming should include both decreasing CO₂ and CH₄ emissions and increasing soil carbon storage. Two-year field experiments were carried out to examine the effects of water management (continuous flooding [CF] and Eh control [EH]) and rice straw management (application [+S] and removal [–S]) on the soil carbon budget in a single-cropping paddy field in Japan. The EH water management based on soil redox potential that the authors have proposed decreased the total CH₄ emission during the rice growing period compared with CF. The +S increased CO₂ emission as soil respiration during the non-flooded fallow period compared with –S, but also increased straw residues in the soil. However, there was little evidence for sequential carbon accumulation in the soil over the year by +S. The resultant annual budget of soil carbon was a loss of 32–103 g C m^?2 in the EH+S treatment compared with a loss of 166–188 g C m^?2 in the CF–S treatment. Taking into account the global warming potentials, the EH+S treatment also decreased the total CO₂-equivalent emission compared with the CF–S treatment. Consequently, a combination of appropriate water management and straw application will be an effective option in decreasing both CO₂-equivalent emission and sustaining soil carbon storage.     

High-Time Resolution Analysis of Diel Variation in Methane Emission from Flooded Rice Fields

Methane (CH₄) emission from flooded rice fields was measured hourly over 24 h for rice (Oryza sativa L.) seasons in 2008 and 2009. The objectives of this study were to identify typical diel variation in CH₄ emission and to estimate the best time of day for optimum extrapolation of daily CH₄ emission. Our results showed distinct diel variation in CH₄ emission, which exhibited a maximum at 14:00–15:00 and a minimum at midnight. About 5.2–5.6% of total CH₄ emitted per day (110–160 mg CH₄ m^?2 d^?1) was released at 14:00–15:00. The diel pattern of CH₄ emission resembled that of air temperature (T_a). The T_a coupled with solar radiation could cause a difference in partial pressure of CH₄ (DPPC) through the gas conduit of the plant. The best extrapolation of daily CH₄ emission was achieved with data observed at 10:00–11:00. We concluded that DPPC-induced CH₄ emission is an important mechanism causing diel variation.     

Influence of water depth and soil amelioration on greenhouse gas emissions from peat soil columns

Recently, large areas of tropical peatland have been converted into agricultural fields. To be used for agricultural activities, peat soils need to be drained, limed and fertilized due to excess water, low nutrient content and high acidity. Water depth and amelioration have significant effects on greenhouse gas (GHG) production. Twenty-seven soil samples were collected from Jabiren, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, in 2014 to examine the effect of water depth and amelioration on GHG emissions. Soil columns were formed in the peatland using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe with a diameter of 21 cm and a length of 100 cm. The PVC pipe was inserted vertically into the soil to a depth of 100 cm and carefully pulled up with the soil inside after sealing the bottom. The treatments consisting of three static water depths (15, 35 and 55 cm from the soil surface) and three ameliorants (without ameliorant/control, biochar+compost and steel slag+compost) were arranged using a randomized block design with two factors and three replications. Fluxes of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) from the soil columns were measured weekly. There was a linear relationship between water depth and CO₂ emissions. No significant difference was observed in the CH₄ emissions in response to water depth and amelioration. The ameliorations influenced the CO₂ and N₂O emissions from the peat soil. The application of biochar+compost enhanced the CO₂ and N₂O emissions but reduced the CH₄ emission. Moreover, the application of steel slag+compost increased the emissions of all three gases. The highest CO₂ and N₂O emissions occurred in response to the biochar+compost treatment followed by the steel slag-compost treatment and without ameliorant. Soil pH, redox potential (Eh) and temperature influenced the CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O fluxes. Experiments for monitoring water depth and amelioration should be developed using peat soil as well as peat soil–crop systems.     

Effects of nitrogen and sulfur deposition on CH4 and N2O fluxes in high-altitude peatland soil under different water tables in the Tibetan Plateau

Abstract

The effects of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) deposition on methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions under low (10 cm below soil surface) and high (at soil surface) water tables were investigated in the laboratory. Undisturbed soil columns from the alpine peatland of the Tibetan Plateau were analyzed. CH₄ emission was higher and N₂O emission was lower at the high water table than those at the low water table regardless of nutrient application. Addition of N (NH₄NO₃ (ammonium nitrate), 5 g N m^?2) decreased CH₄ emission up to 57% and 50% at low and high water tables, respectively, but correspondingly increased N₂O emission by 2.5 and 10.4 times. Addition of S (Na₂SO₄ (sodium sulfate), 2.5 g S m^?2) decreased CH₄ and N₂O emission by 64% and 79% at the low water table, respectively, but had a slightly positive effect at the high water table. These results indicated that the responses of CH₄ and N₂O emissions to the S deposition depend on the water table condition in the high-altitude peatland.     

Effect of two whole-crop rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars on methane emission and Cu and Zn uptake in a paddy field fertilized with biogas slurry

A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of two whole-crop rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars, TULT and Takanari, on methane (CH₄) emission in a paddy field fertilized with biogas slurry (BS) at rates of 0 (NF), 100 (BS100) and 300 (BS300) kg nitrogen (N) ha^?1, in comparison with chemical fertilizer CF100 (100 kg N ha^?1). Takanari produced significantly higher biomass (P < 0.001) than TULT and showed significantly (P < 0.01) lower CH₄ emission than TULT. BS applications caused higher CH₄ emission (52 ± 27 and 80 ± 19 g m^?2 in BS100 and BS300, respectively) than did CF100 (42 ± 18 g m^?2) and NF (28 ± 10 g m^?2) in TULT. In contrast, there was no significant difference in CH₄ emission in Takanari among the treatments (26 ± 2, 26 ± 2, 32 ± 4, 29 ± 8 g m^?2 in NF, CF100, BS100 and BS300, respectively). Methane oxidizing bacteria (MOB) showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher populations in Takanari than in TULT at harvest, which might be due to the higher root biomass (10.3 ± 2.2 g hill^?1) in Takanari than in TULT (8.9 ± 1.8 g hill^?1). MOB was significantly correlated with tiller number (R² = 0.176*) and plant biomass (R² = 0.242*). BS application showed higher copper (Cu) uptake in Takanari while it was not high in TULT. In contrast, it showed no difference in zinc (Zn) uptake in both varieties. Uptake of Cu was not different between the two varieties, while uptake of Zn in the grain was higher in TULT than in Takanari. The present study suggests that CH₄ emission deriving from BS application in paddy field can be mitigated by selecting an appropriate cultivar, like Takanari. However, care should be taken for heavy metal uptake in selecting cultivars.