Search
Greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation in rice agriculture

September 26, 2023 | Nature Reviews Earth & Environment

Introduction: Rice paddies supply stable food to half of the world's population but contribute about 48% of GHG emissions from croplands. Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology and Ecology in Southern China, Nanjing and University of Exeter, UK collaborated on reviewing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, mainly methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), from rice fields and their impact on climate change. 

Key findings:  On average, each hectare emits approximately 7,870 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, with CH4 accounting for 94%. Emissions vary due to different management practices; for example, adding organic matter and continuous flooding increase CH4, while nitrogen fertilizer application drives N2O emissions. Although current emission trends are uncertain, future projections suggest increased CH4 emissions due to elevated CO2 and warming.

Conclusion: The review study proposes integrated agronomic strategies, such as selecting new rice varieties, reducing continuous flooding, and removing straw, which could reduce emissions by 24%, 44%, and 46%, respectively. However, optimizing these approaches based on seasonal CH4 emission patterns is crucial, highlighting the need for improved measurement and reduced uncertainty in global GHG estimates, especially in low latitudes.

 

 Fig. 1 | CH4 emissions as affected by breeding strategies to increase rice yield. 

 

 Fig. 2 | Potential mitigation strategies

 

 

 

Viewed Articles
Greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation in rice agriculture
September 26, 2023 | Nature Reviews Earth & Environment | Introduction: Rice paddies supply stable food to half of the world's population but contribute about 48% of GHG emissions from croplands.
Read More
Livestock greenhouse gas emission and mitigation potential in China
December 15, 2023 | Journal of Environmental Management | Source |  Introduction: Livestock production is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) in China, challenging the country’s 20
Impacts of the global food system on terrestrial biodiversity from land use and climate change
July 9, 2024 | Nature Communications | Source | Introduction: The global food system incurrs heavy biodiversity loss through both land use and greenhouse gas emissions. Using the EXIOBASE model, resea
Permaculture enhances carbon stocks, soil quality and biodiversity in Central Europe
July 4, 2024 | Communications Earth & Environment | Source |   Introduction: Permaculture is increasingly seen as a promising tool to address environmental challenges like soil degradation, climate ch
How farming could become the ultimate climate-change tool
June 19, 2024 | Nature | Source |   Introduction: A freelance science journalist based in Sydney, Australia reviewed the role of farming in climate change mitigation. Key findings: Humanity faces two
Crediting agricultural soil carbon sequestration
March 17, 2022 | Science | Source |  Introduction: The voluntary carbon market is rapidly expanding, with various carbon registries and private companies developing protocols to pay farmers for seques
TOP