Emission of Methane From Wetland Paddy Fields: A Review

Cultivation of rice is widely practiced throughout the world as rice is a staple food for half of the world’s population. However, the emission of methane (CH₄) is an issue associated with the cultivation of rice. Many reports on the level of CH₄ emission after treatment of different kinds of organic materials in paddy fields were reported. It was observed that the application of a combination of tested locally available compost along with inorganic NPK fertilisers effectively reduced the rate of emission of CH₄. Intermittent wetting and drying in addition to the combined application of compost and NPK fertilisers will help in reducing the emission of CH₄ up to 40 to 45%. To undertake an intermittent drainage system is a difficult step for the farmers to implement as it has extra cost and labour. Therefore, lawmakers should initiate steps to help farmers in order to reduce the emission of CH₄ from paddy fields.