Use of organic fertilizer on paddy fields to reduce greenhouse gases

Abstract

This study analysed the effect of organic fertilizer on greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), resulting from paddy field farming. Suphanburi 1 rice varieties were planted in a double-crop organic rice field at Pathum Thani Rice Research Centre, Pathum Thani Province, Thailand. The paddy was divided into 4 plots, as follows: (1) control plots without added fertilizer, (2) plots with the addition of organic fertilizer (cow manure), (3) plots with the addition of organic fertilizer pellets, and (4) plots with the addition of chemical fertilizers. The results showed that the CO2, CH4, and N2O emission rates in the chemical fertilizer plot were the highest at 534, 1.79, and 1.21 mg m 2 day 1 , respectively. The second highest levels were with the addition of manure at 377, 1.35, and 0.88 mg m 2 day 1 , respectively. To help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from rice farming, it is recommended that