Methane Emission from Rice Fields and Rice Grown with Various Organic Fertilizers on Acidic Low Nutrient Soil

Abstract

The effects of organic fertilizer on methane emission and rice growth in the acidic low nutrient soil of Thailand and investigated. Treatment of straw and cow dung with chemical fertilizer further increased methane emission above levels achieved by treatment of conventional compost and green compost (Sesbania rostrata) along with chemical fertilizer or by chemical fertilizer only. The maximum methane emission was 15.2 mg/(m²·h) with the application of straw and chemical fertilizer. During methane emission, development of white roots and growth of rice not suppressed. Biomass above ground and grain yield are positively correlated with high methane emission. In addition, organic matter and soil elements such as phosphorous, potassium and total nitrogen were higher in soil with straw and cow dung treatments demonstrating a positive correlation with high methane emission.