Response of planting methods to rice productivity and greenhouse gas emissions

Intensively cultivated rice field is one of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) contributors to the atmosphere. Soil cultivation of Gogorancah or Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR) has been introduced to save water and reduce GHG emissions from rice field because rice plants grow under aerobic condition after seed germination. This study aims to evaluate GHG emissions, yield component and rice yield to different planting methods: Transplanted Rice (TPR) and DSR. The study was carried out at farmer's field namely D. Warn, Adiwerna and K. Banteng Sub District in Tegal District, Central Java. The closed chamber method with the unit consisted of a cubic chamber (50 x 50 x 100 cm) and a frame base (50 x 50 x 15 cm), and gas chromatography (GC) was used to determine the nitrous oxide (N2O) and CH4 fluxes. The results showed that the DSR increased yield components and reduced CH4 emissions. The DSR could significantly increase grain yield than TPR at D. Warn and K. Banteng approximately 26 and 49%, respectively. The DSR could be an option for reducing global warming potential (GWP) and maintaining rice yield. However, further studies are needed to identify suitable management practices for reducing both CH4 and N2O emissions without any trade-off.