저탄소 벼 논물관리 및 농업인 교육이 탄소중립에 미치는 영향

초록

Methane (CH4) emissions from rice cultivation significantly contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions. This study evaluated the effectiveness of water management practices, including alternate wetting and drying (AWD) and mid-season drainage (MSD), in mitigating CH₄ emissions from paddy fields in Pohang, South Korea. Field experiments compared continuous flooding (CF) with various combinations of AWD and MSD treatments. Results showed that AWD with a two- or three-week MSD reduced CH₄ emissions by over 85% compared to CF, highlighting the potential of intermittent aerobic soil conditions to inhibit methanogen activity. Water conservation benefits were also noted, with AWD saving up to 29.8% of water compared to CF. To promote the adoption of low-carbon practices, farmers participated in an education program emphasizing intermittent irrigation techniques. Post-education surveys revealed a significant increase in the adoption of low-carbon water management practices, with 74% of respondents transitioning to intermittent irrigation, up from 22% pre-education. However, challenges such as drought, soil conditions, and water supply variability were cited as barriers to implementation. This study underscores the potential of integrating optimized water management strategies with educational interventions to reduce CH₄emissions in rice cultivation. Scaling these efforts could contribute significantly to South Korea’s climate goals, supporting the transition to sustainable agricultural practices while addressing global climate challenges.

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