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Updated: May 27, 2026
08:18
Design and Use of a Full Flow Sampling System (FFS) for the Quantification of Methane Emissions
Published on: June 12, 2016
Terrestrial plant methane production and emission
Dan Bruhn1, Ian M Møller, Teis N Mikkelsen
1Risø National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy, Technical university of Denmark, Biosystems Division, BIO-309, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark. dabr@risoe.dtu.dk
Physiologia Plantarum
|December 6, 2011
Summary
Aerobic methane (CH4) production in plants is a confirmed phenomenon, influenced by factors like injury and UV radiation. Current global budget estimates are inadequate due to precursor uncertainties.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Environmental science
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas.
- Aerobic methane production in terrestrial plants was previously uncertain.
- Understanding CH4 sources is crucial for climate change mitigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and evaluate experimental evidence for aerobic methane generation in plants.
- To identify factors stimulating aerobic CH4 production.
- To assess the role of pectin and other precursors in plant CH4 emissions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of experimental studies on aerobic methane production in plants.
- Analysis of emission rates from various plant tissues and precursors.
- Evaluation of factors influencing CH4 generation.
Main Results:
- Aerobic methane (CH4) production in terrestrial plants is experimentally validated.
- Cutting injuries, increased temperature, UV radiation, and reactive oxygen species stimulate CH4 production.
- Pectin is not the sole precursor; other plant-derived sources contribute significantly to CH4 emissions.
Conclusions:
- Current global methane budgets inadequately account for aerobic plant CH4 emissions.
- Significant uncertainties remain regarding stimulating factors, genotypic responses, and precursor contributions.
- Further research is essential to quantify the relative importance of various CH4 precursors in plants.
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