1997 Volume 6 Issue 3 Pages 227-246
Atmospheric concenhation of methane (CH4) has been increasing rapidly in recent years and the influences on the global environment, in particular on global warming, are concerned, Rice paddy fields are considered as an important source of atmospheric CH4 because of the past increase in harvest area of the world. CH4 is produced by the activity of methanogenic bacteria under strictly anaerobic conditions in paddy soils. The results from the field measurements showed that there are pronounced temporal and spatial variations in CH4 emission rates being controlled by various factors, including soil properties, plant activity, agronomic practices, and climate. Candidates for the options that mitigate CH4 emission from paddy fields are water management, soil amendments, organic matter management, different tillage, rotation, and cultivar selection. Adopting these mitigation option to world rice cultivation would reduce the global CH4 emission rate significantly. However, there are several formidable obstacles to adopt the mitigation options into local rice farming. The options should be in accordance with sustaining or rather increasing rice production.
