Field experiments on greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen and phosphorus losses from rice paddy with efficient irrigation and drainage management

Abstract

Greenhouse gas emissions, nitrogen and phosphorous losses through ammonia volatilization, leaching and surface drainage from rice paddy under efficient irrigation and drainage were analyzed based on field experimental data in order to reveal the eco-environmental impacts of efficient irrigation and drainage on rice paddy. The results showed that total methane emission from rice paddy under the controlled irrigation was reduced by more than 80% and total nitrous oxide emission increased by 15.9% compared with flooding irrigation. Seasonal comprehensive global warming potentials (GWP) of methane and nitrous oxide were 62.23 gCO2 m−2 for rice paddy under the controlled irrigation, reduced by 68.0% compared with flooding irrigation. Due to large reduction in seepage and surface drainages, nitrogen and phosphorous losses through leaching were reduced by 40.1% and 54.8%, nitrogen and phosphorous losses through surface drainage were reduced by 53.9% and 51.6% from rice paddy under efficient irrigation and drainage compared with traditional irrigation and drainage. Nitrogen loss through ammonia volatilization was reduced by 14.0%. Efficient irrigation and drainage management is helpful to mitigate greenhouse gases emission, nitrogen and phosphorus losses and their pollution on groundwater and surface water.