Interactive Effect of Soil Properties and Microbial Functional Genes on Methane and Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Rice Paddies: A Global Meta-Analysis
Abstract
Rice paddies are a major anthropogenic source of methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O), yet the interactive roles of soil properties and microbial functional groups in regulating both gases remain poorly quantified. While individual studies have examined CH₄ and N₂O separately, an integrated assessment of their shared drivers across diverse field conditions is lacking. Here, we synthesized 74 paired observations to evaluate how soil properties and microbial gene abundance jointly influence CH₄ and N₂O emissions in rice paddies and to assess mitigation patterns associated with common management practices. Neutral soil pH (6.5–7.5) and strongly reduced conditions (Eh –90 mV) increased CH₄ emissions by up to 800%, higher than non-reduced conditions (Eh > 0 mV), whereas rising nitrate (NO₃⁻) availability suppressed CH₄ emissions by 58%. Moderate mcrA increased CH₄ by 54%, and high nosZ increased emissions by 103%, while elevated pmoA and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) suppressed CH₄. In contrast, N₂O emissions increased with higher pmoA abundance (+70%) but declined under elevated NH₄+. Random forest identified AOB and NO₃⁻ as the strongest predictors of CH₄, while AOB and NH₄⁺ governed N₂O. Organic amendments increased emissions by up to 62.1%, whereas biochar consistently reduced both gases. The most consistent mitigation pattern was biochar with 120–180 kg N ha⁻¹, which suppressed carbon cycling, nitrification, and denitrification genes (path coefficients ranged from –0.28 to –0.49). These findings suggest soil-microbe interaction underpins CH₄ and N₂O emissions in rice paddies and highlight biochar-based nutrient management as a promising mitigation strategy.
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References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Agricultural Water Management, Soil Sciences and Ecology, Soil Chemistry and Soil Carbon Sequestration (Excl. Carbon Sequestration Science)
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Wini Prayogi Abdila
0009-0006-4057-7711
Indonesia
Publication Date
March 16, 2026
Submission Date
November 21, 2025
Acceptance Date
February 25, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Number: 1
