Early drainage mitigates methane and nitrous oxide emissions from organically amended paddy soils

The results revealed rapid mineralization of organic C in the double-drained system, resulting in lower total CH4 emissions in treatments under early plus midseason drainage compared to those under midseason drainage only. Total CH4 emissions were reduced by 89% and 92% in the S + EM treatments in low C soils and high C soils respectively, as compared to S + M. The drainage effects on CH4 emissions from compost amendments were only significant in the low C soil, with a 61% reduction in EM compared to M drainage. N2O emissions from non-organic treatments in EM were 87% higher than in M under low C soils. The concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were higher in organic treatments and decreased by the end of growth period. This experiment demonstrated an interaction between water and straw management to achieve both sustainable soil quality and low-emission rice production.