Estimation of methane emission from rice cultivation in Korea

This study focused on estimating a methane (CH4) inventory and developing mitigation options in South Korea, and was performed jointly in an integrated national research program on CH4 from rice fields conducted by three National Agricultural Research Institutes, under the Rural Development Administration during 1993-1997. Methane emissions were measured by a closed chamber method, in rice plots at three locations (Suwon, Iksan, and Milyang) with the single rice cropping system. All experimental data from 5 years of study were summarized and used for calculating nation-wide CH4 emissions. Temperature, soil type, cultural practices, water management, organic matter management, and cultivar selection significantly affected the fluctuations of CH4 emissions. The two most promising mitigation options for reducing emissions were altered water management, in particular mid-season aeration by short-term drainage, and improved organic matter management, by promotion of aerobic degradation through composing or soil incorporation. Annual total CH4 emission in Korea changed from 410Gg in 1990 to 339Gg in 2000, due mainly to a decrease in the cultivated area of paddy rice. If we convert annual CH4 emission to Global Warming Potential as CO2 equivalent, it amounts to 7.1 M CO2 t yr(-1) of greenhouse gas emitted to the atmosphere in 2000 from the rice fields in Korea, which is just 5.3% of the annual CO2 emission from the industry and energy sector. More importantly, the balance between CO2 uptake by photosynthesis and CO2 emission is positive (a net sink), so that rice culture actually has net benefits for the global atmospheric carbon issue. Further reductions in emission amounts, by following recommendations in this article, could make these benefits even greater.