Optimizing Rice Production to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Strategic Insights -

A recent study published in Environmental and Sustainability Indicators reveals that rice production can significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers from the University of Agricultural Sciences in Karnataka, India, conducted a two-year experiment to investigate the impact of water and nitrogen management strategies on rice production. The study found that optimizing irrigation and nitrogen application can reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining high grain yields.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rice production is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for a significant share of global emissions.
  • Optimizing irrigation and nitrogen application can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 12.08% and 6.5%, respectively.
  • Irrigation at 1.0 IW/CPE and application of 75% RDN through PU + 2 NU sprays at 30 and 60 DAS is recommended for attaining higher grain yield of aerobic rice while reducing GHG emission.
  • The use of nano-urea (NU) foliar sprays can enhance nitrogen use efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The study concludes that by adopting these strategies, rice producers can reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining or even increasing their yields.

Statistics:

  • Rice production contributes to approximately 12.26% of CO2 equivalent emissions per kg of rice produced.
  • The recommended irrigation strategy at 1.0 IW/CPE can reduce water usage by 10% and greenhouse gas emissions by 12.08% compared to irrigation at 1.2 IW/CPE.
  • The use of nano-urea (NU) foliar sprays can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6.5% and enhance nitrogen use efficiency.
  • The study recommends a combination of irrigation at 1.0 IW/CPE and application of 75% RDN through PU + 2 NU sprays at 30 and 60 DAS for optimal rice production.

Sources:

  • "Impact of water and nitrogen management strategies on productivity, resource use efficiency, and greenhouse gases emission in aerobic rice." Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 2025, 27():100750. doi: 10.1016/j.indic.2025.100750
  • University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, India
  • Elsevier (publisher of Environmental and Sustainability Indicators)