Mitigating methane emissions in chili farming with sustainable agricultural practices

The appropriate use of fertilizers and mulches can reduce methane emissions in chili cultivation. This research seeks to assess the impact of various conditions on methane emissions, encompassing chili cultivation under the following scenarios: absence of fertilizers, application of organic fertilizers, use of NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) fertilizers, absence of mulch, utilization of organic mulch, and application of inorganic mulch. Fertilizer application was combined with mulching to assess their impact on methane emissions. The study was conducted at two different sites with similar soil types. NPK levels were also measured to determine their correlation with methane emissions. The findings show that applying NPK fertilizers boosts the levels of soil nutrients, such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), while organic fertilizers contribute to an increase in soil organic carbon content. The application of organic mulch increases soil NPK levels while reducing methane emissions. In contrast, the use of plastic mulch significantly increases methane emissions, particularly when combined with NPK fertilizers. Soil nitrogen levels show a correlation with methane emissions exceeding 90, while phosphorus and potassium exhibit moderate relationships with methane emissions (72). The results of this research are anticipated to offer valuable insights into optimal fertilization and mulching practices for chili cultivation, with the aim of reducing methane emissions. © 2025, Polskie Towarzystwo Inzynierii Ekologicznej (PTIE). All rights reserved.