Effects of Tillage Systems on Methane Assimilation in Cambic Calcisol and Implications for Climate Change Mitigation

Well-aerated soils are essential for methane (CH4) uptake from the atmosphere, acting as significant sinks for this greenhouse gas, which has a global warming potential 25 times greater than that of carbon dioxide (CO2). These soils contain methanotrophic bacteria, which oxidize CH4 and thereby reduce atmospheric methane concentrations. The potential of soils to assimilate CH4 depends on factors such as soil type and moisture regime. This study investigates the ability of clay soil Cambic Calcisol to assimilate CH4. Measurements were conducted at an experimental site with two tillage systems and two crop rotations from 2018 to 2023, with observations taken every two weeks from April to October. Experimental plots under conventional tillage demonstrated a higher rate of CH4 assimilation compared to reduced tillage plots (-4.1 g CH4 ha-1 day-1 and -3.5 g CH4 ha-1 day-1, respectively). CH4 uptake by soils plays a vital role in regulating methane emissions, making soil management practices a key factor in climate change mitigation efforts. Understanding the variables influencing CH4 assimilation is crucial for optimizing land-use strategies to enhance greenhouse gas mitigation.