Characteristics of Methane Emissions and Practical Mitigation Strategies in Rice Paddy Fields

Methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas primarily emitted from flooded rice paddies under anaerobic soil conditions. As global food demand increases, CH4 emissions from rice cultivation are expected to rise, emphasizing the urgent need to establish effective mitigation strategies. This review critically evaluates key environmental factors affecting CH4 emissions, including soil redox potential, organic matter content, temperature, pH, soil order, and texture, and their roles in controlling methanogenesis and emission pathways such as plant-mediated transport, ebullition, and diffusion. Three major mitigation approaches are examined: water management practices (e.g., mid-season drainage and intermittent irrigation), application of silicate fertilizers (particularly steel slag-based materials), and biochar amendments. These strategies have demonstrated varying degrees of effectiveness in reducing CH4 emissions while simultaneously maintaining or enhancing rice yield and improving soil quality. Based on a comprehensive synthesis of international and domestic literature, this review summarizes the effectiveness, feasibility, and adaptability of each strategy across different agricultural contexts. The findings presented herein aim to support the development and dissemination of climate-smart rice cultivation practices specifically adapted to agroecosystems, thereby promoting greenhouse gas mitigation and sustainable agricultural productivity.