Combined compost with biochar application to mitigate greenhouse gas emission in paddy field

Abstract

Crop production and environmental sustainability were threatened by environmental issues such as global warming, climate change and land degradation. Rice is a staple food of more than half of the world’s population and the most important source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Rice production accounted for 36% of total emissions from agriculture. The use of organic material management in paddy fields is a potential to support sustainable agriculture. Biochar is reported to enhance soil carbon sequestration and soil productivity. This study aimed to know the effect of combined compost with biochar application on rice yields and greenhouse gas emissions in rainfed rice fields. The research was conducted for 3 years at research station of Indonesian Agricultural Environment Research Institute, Pati-Central Java. CH4 and N2O emissions were measured using close chamber method. We used combined compost with rice husk biochar for organic fertilizer, namely Biocompost. The results of this study indicated that the application of combined compost with biochar in each planting season improved the grain yield by 17% and reduced global warming potential (GWP) by 5% compared to conventional practice. The combined compost with biochar application in paddy fields has the opportunity as GHG mitigation efforts on rice production.