Influence of Azolla on CH4 emission from rice fields

Azolla is an aquatic fern that has been used successfully as a dual crop wi th wetland rice. Rice fields are a major source of atmospheric CH4, which i s an important greenhouse gas. In this study, field and laboratory experime nts showed that growing Azolla as a dual crop could enhance CH4 emission fr om rice fields. In pot experimen indications showed that Azolla could media te CH4 transport from the floodwater of a rice soil into the atmosphere. It was also found that due to the presence of Azolla, chemical soil propertie s could be developed, stimulating CH4 production and decreasing in situ CH4 removal.