Comparison of methane emission characteristics in air-dried and composted cattle manure amended paddy soil during rice cultivation

Application of organic matter is essential for sustaining the health and productivity of a soil. However, organic amendments produce methane (CH4) emissions from rice (Oryza sativa L.) paddy soils. In this experiment, we evaluated the relative effects of composted and air-dried forms of different manures on CH4 emission from rice paddy soils. Air-dried and composted manures from both Korean cows and dairy cows were applied to evaluate their effects on CH4 emissions in rice paddy soils. Application of organic amendments increased CH4 emissions from soil during rice cultivation. Application of composted manures reduced CH4 emission by up to 50% compared to air-dried manures. The chemical composition of applied cattle manures may also determine the level of CH4 emissions from rice paddy soils. The amount of decomposable organic C, its distribution in lighter soil aggregates and the potential of these soil aggregates to generate labile C compounds in soil were possible influencing factors in the emission of CH4 from organic amended rice paddy soils. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.