Methane and nitrous oxide productions affected by natural nitrification inhibitors under different soil types

Abstract

Inefficient used of urea fertilizer contributes to producing methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. One of the options to mitigate CH4 and N2O emissions is through the use of nitrification inhibitors (NI). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of some plant-based NI (NNI) on CH4 and N2O production under two different soils types. An incubation experiment was arranged using 2 x 3 x 3 factorial designs. All treatments were conducted with three replicates. The first factors were paddy soils (Inceptisols and Vertisols), the second were NNI (coconut husk, coffee waste, and Ageratum conizoides) and the third were the rate of the NNI (10, 20 and 30 ppm). The results showed that CH4 production was found lowest at the rate of 30 ppm of coconut husk application. Coconut husk at the rate of 20 ppm produced the lowest N2O production. Based on the global warming potential (GWP), the lowest production was the application of Ageratum conizoides at the rate of 30 ppm. Applying a higher rate of natural NI resulted in lower productions of CH4 and N2O. Chemical contents of natural NI influenced microbial activities that produce CH4 and N2O through nitrification and denitrification processes.