CH4 mitigation by using wetting & dry irrigation

Methane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. Methane is relatively fast increasing today, cause global warming. Methane 60 times more effective than carbon dioxide (CO2), causing global warming.

CH4 mitigation by using wetting & dry irrigationThe largest source of methane are rice fields, cattle and biomass burning. The global emission of methane from rice fields in the range of 30-80t g/year. The world’s annual rice production increases 760 million tons in 2020.

Gases such as methane which are found in the soil diffuse from reduced layer through the aerenchyma to the atmosphere. The production and transport of methane depend on the rice plant. Root exuadates and degrading roots are also important source of methane emission.

How to mitigate methane emission

Alternate wetting and dry (AWD) irrigation approach increase rice productivity through proper management of resources. AWD can save irrigation water without losses in rice grain yield, while reducing CH4 emission from the rice soil.

Decreasing CH4 emission from rice soil is effective way to mitigate total global greenhouse gas emission from rice. International Rice Research Institute and Institute for Agro-Environmental science (NIAES) developed simplified guidelines for AWD irrigation system, using a field water tube as a tool to monitor the water level below soil surface.

They used a perforated field water tube so that water is easily to visible. In this method, irrigation applied when perched water table falls to 15cm below the soil surface. So, modified rice cultivation are effective way to ensure food security, while preserving irrigation water and mitigating greenhouse gas emission.

Conclusion

Adoption of Alternate wetting and dry irrigation are effective way to reduce methane (CH4) emission, which cause greenhouse gas emission, several management including water management, organic amendment, Fertilization, cultural practices and rice cultivar are effective way to reduce methane (CH4 ) emission.

Authors:Arslan Ali*1, Akhtar Abbas1, Rashid Rafique1,Umair Rasool Azmi2 ,Tahawar Ali Syed3

1Seed Physiology Lab, Department of Agronomy, Pakistan.2Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics,  3Department of Entomology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

 * Corresponding Author Email: arslanali_y4u@yahoo.com