Field Crop 2024, Vol.7, No.5, 243-251 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 243 Systematic Review Open Access Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Rice Paddies: Strategies for Reduction and Climate Change Mitigation Weijie Sun, Qiangsheng Qian Modern Agricultural Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: qiangsheng.qian@cuixi.org Field Crop, 2024, Vol.7, No.5 doi: 10.5376/fc.2024.07.0024 Received: 01 Jul., 2024 Accepted: 12 Aug., 2024 Published: 01 Sep., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Sun and Qian, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Sun W.J., and Qian Q.S., 2024, Greenhouse gas emissions from rice paddies: strategies for reduction and climate change mitigation, Field Crop, 7(5): 243-251 (doi: 10.5376/fc.2024.07.0024) Abstract Rice cultivation is a staple of global agriculture, supporting the livelihoods of millions, but it is also a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly methane and nitrous oxide. These emissions contribute to climate change, necessitating the development of effective mitigation strategies. This study explores the mechanisms of GHG emissions from rice paddies, including methane production pathways and the factors influencing nitrous oxide emissions. Various strategies for reducing emissions are analyzed, such as water management techniques like alternate wetting and drying (AWD), soil fertility management through integrated nutrient approaches, and crop management practices that enhance sustainability. Furthermore, the role of rice paddies in carbon sequestration is examined, alongside policy frameworks and incentive programs to support emission reduction. A case study highlights successful implementations of these strategies and the associated outcomes. The study concludes with a discussion on the challenges to widespread adoption and the need for future research to enhance both mitigation and climate resilience in rice production systems. Keywords Rice cultivation; Greenhouse gas emissions; Methane reduction; Water management; Climate change mitigation 1 Introduction Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food for nearly half of the world's population, playing a crucial role in global food security and nutrition (Jiang et al., 2019). It is predominantly cultivated in lowland irrigated systems, which are essential for maintaining high yields necessary to meet the growing demand for this vital crop (Thanuja and Karthikeyan, 2020). The significance of rice extends beyond its nutritional value, as it also supports the livelihoods of millions of farmers worldwide, particularly in Asia, where the majority of rice is produced and consumed. Despite its importance, rice cultivation is a major source of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) (Zhao et al., 2019). Rice paddies contribute significantly to global CH4 emissions due to the anaerobic conditions prevalent in flooded fields, which promote methanogenesis (Gupta et al., 2021). Additionally, the use of nitrogen fertilizers and organic amendments can increase N2O emissions, further exacerbating the global warming potential (GWP) of rice systems (Shang et al., 2021). The combined emissions of CH4 andN2O from rice paddies are a critical concern for climate change mitigation efforts (Linquist et al., 2012). Mitigating GHG emissions from rice paddies is essential for reducing the agricultural sector's impact on climate change while ensuring food security (Kumar et al., 2019). Various management practices, such as alternate wetting and drying, intermittent irrigation, and the use of plant growth regulators, have been explored to reduce CH4 and N2O emissions without compromising rice yields (Cho et al., 2021). These strategies are crucial for achieving sustainable rice production systems that balance the trade-offs between high yields and low GHG emissions (Hussain et al., 2015). Understanding the interactions between different management practices and site-specific conditions is vital for developing effective mitigation approaches (Jiang et al., 2018). This study integrates existing strategies for greenhouse gas emission reduction in rice paddies and their effectiveness in mitigating climate change, evaluates the impacts of various management measures on CH4 and
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