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Environmental sustainability

Sustainable Rice Cultivation in Southeastern China: Evaluating Yield, Environmental Impacts, and Economic Benefits

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers have made significant strides in exploring sustainable rice cultivation systems in China's southeastern region. The perennial rice (PR) cultivation system has been found to offer enhanced resource efficiency, reducing the demand for traditional double-cropping rice (DR) and ratoon rice (RR) systems. A recent study conducted by Fujian Agricultural and Forestry University compared the performance of PR, DR, and RR cultivation systems in terms of yield, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, carbon and nitrogen footprint, net ecological-economic benefits (NEEB), and net ecosystem carbon balance (NECB). The findings indicate that PR exhibits significant advantages over DR and RR, including reduced direct GHG emissions, lower carbon and nitrogen footprints, and increased economic benefits.

Key Takeaways:

  • The perennial rice (PR) cultivation system offers enhanced resource efficiency and reduced environmental pressures compared to traditional double-cropping rice (DR) and ratoon rice (RR) systems.
  • Over a three-year trial, PR exhibited comparable yields to DR and RR, but with significant reductions in direct GHG emissions (21.7 %-25.91 %), carbon and nitrogen footprint (19.34 %-25.87 %), and annual energy input (26.74 % and 2.10 %).
  • The annual economic benefits of PR were 83.24 % higher than DR and 10.85 % greater than RR.
  • The net ecosystem carbon balance (NECB) of PR was significantly higher than DR and RR, with increases ranging from 15.77 % to 37.87 % and from 15.30 % to 43.45 %, respectively.
  • The advantages of PR were primarily attributed to reductions in methane emissions (CH4), ammonia volatilization (NH3), and lower indirect agricultural inputs.

Statistics:

  • Reduction in annual energy input for PR: 26.74 %
  • Reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for PR: 21.7 %-25.91 %
  • Reduction in carbon footprint for PR: 19.34 %-25.87 %
  • Increase in net ecosystem carbon balance (NECB) for PR: 15.77 % - 37.87 %
  • Increase in net ecological-economic benefits (NEEB) for PR: 83.24 %
  • Annual yield of PR: comparable to DR and RR

Sources:

  • Researchers detail new data in Sustainability Research. VerticalNews. 2025 SEP 18.
  • Evaluating the Sustainability Potential of Perennial Rice In Southeastern China By Comparing Yield, Environmental Impacts and Economic Benefits. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, 2025;390.
  • NewsRx. Researchers from Fujian Agricultural and Forestry University Detail New Studies and Findings in the Area of Sustainability Research (Evaluating the Sustainability Potential of Perennial Rice In Southeastern China By Comparing Yield, ...). Food Weekly Focus. September 18, 2025; p 569.

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