Influence of the insecticide carbofuran on the production and oxidation of methane in a flooded rice soil

Applications of a commercial formulation of carbofuran, a carbamate insecticide, at rates of 2 kg and 12 kg active ingredient ha(-1) to flooded fields planted to rice led to significant inhibition of methane emission. Likewise, laboratory incubation studies showed that carbofuran applied at low rates (5 and 10 mu g g(-1) soil) inhibited the net methane production relative to that of the control, but stimulated it when applied at a rate of 100 mu g g(-1) soil. Interestingly, carbofuran increased the oxidation of methane when applied at low rates and inhibited it when applied at a rate of 100 mu g g(-1) soil.