Towards Climate-Smart Rice Cultivation: Addressing Methane Emission Mechanisms and Mitigation Strategies for a Sustainable Future

Rice fields are one of the largest sources of methane (CH 4 ), a potent greenhouse gas, contributing significantly to global warming. Elucidating the underlying mechanisms and mitigating CH 4 emissions from paddy fields is crucial for combating climate change while ensuring sustainable food production. This review investigates the biological processes governing CH 4 generation in rice fields, focusing on how soil microorganisms generate CH 4 under waterlogged, anaerobic conditions. It also explores the mechanisms by which CH 4 escapes into the atmosphere through plant-mediated transport, diffusion, and bubbling. Several factors influencing CH 4 emissions are discussed, including soil composition, water management, exogenous organic matter application, rice variety selection, and local climate conditions. Strategies that can be implemented to reduce CH 4 emissions are assessed, such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD) controls, urea deep placement (UDP), biochar application, optimized fertilizer use, and breeding rice varieties with low CH 4 emissions. Novel solutions, such as the enhancement of methane-consuming bacteria in soils using microbial-based approaches, are explored. The importance of integrating innovative technologies, improved farming practices, and interdisciplinary research is emphasized to develop practical, scalable strategies for reducing CH 4 emissions. By addressing these challenges, we can advance towards the attainment of sustainable agriculture and global climate goals. This review aims to serve as a comprehensive resource for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to understand and mitigate CH 4 emissions from rice cultivation.