Evaluation of silicate iron slag amendment on reducing methane emission from flood water rice farming

Application of electron acceptors such as ferric iron oxides and hydroxides for controlling methane (CH₄) emission from wetland rice fields deserves special attention due to its dominant role over all other redox species in wetland soils. Silicate iron slag (hereafter, silicate fertilizer), a byproduct of steel industry containing electron acceptors, was applied in paddy field (Agronomy Farm, Gyeongsang National University, South Korea) at the rate of 0, 1, 2 and 4Mgha⁻¹ to investigate their effects on reducing CH₄ emissions from flood water rice (Oryza sativa, cv. Dongjinbyeo) farming during 2006-2007. CH₄ emission rates measured by closed-chamber method decreased significantly (p <0.05) with increasing levels of silicate fertilizer application during rice cultivation. Soil redox potential (Eh) showed a contrasting response to…