Dr. Takanori Okamoto, a researcher at JIRCAS and a member of the SATREPS VaryAla Project (Output 2), traveled to Madagascar in February to collect samples for evaluating greenhouse gas emissions from paddy fields.

During this trip, field surveys were conducted at four sites representing major soil types and climatic conditions in Madagascar to evaluate greenhouse gas emissions from paddy fields. Rice roots and paddy soil samples were collected during the critical growth stage from panicle initiation to heading. The collected samples were stored frozen at LRI, while some samples were processed using a freeze dryer at FOFIFA. In addition, analysis of ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) concentrations in samples collected during the previous survey was continued. Discussions were also held with LRI regarding facility requirements for the introduction of a gas chromatograph and the installation of a gas generator.