Atmospheric methane and nitrous oxide: sources, sinks and strategies for reducing agricultural emissions.

Abstract

I discuss production, emission and oxidation of CH4 in rice paddy fields and N2O in fertilized soils. The quantity of CH4 emitted from rice paddy fields depends upon several important factors including soil factors, nutrient management, water regimes, cultivation practices and others. Important factors for N2O emitted from fertilized soils are soil water content, temperature, nitrate or ammonium concentration, available organic carbon for denitrification and pH. I provide an estimate of mitigation potential in agricultural systems based on this estimate and the management technology.