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Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from rice via manipulation of key root traits
Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from rice via manipulation of key root traits
Rice cultivation accounts for 8% of the global anthropogenic CH4 (methane) emissions and 10% of global agriculturally related cropland N2O emissions. Given this, the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from rice production systems is huge.
Current approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from paddy rice primarily focus on changes in management practice. However, the team proposes to also focus on root traits to control production, conversion, and subsequent fluxes of methane and nitrous oxide to the shoot, where these gases are vented to the atmosphere.
Considering the existent phenotypic variability in root traits of rice genotypes, the team proposes the development of new rice cultivars exhibiting an effective internal O2 diffusion system which will be done through enhanced aerenchyma formation. Additionally, the development of tight barriers to impede radial O2 loss along the basal parts of the roots will increase CH4 oxidation as well as promote nitrification. As a result, there will be a reduction in the production of greenhouse gases and benefitting plant nutrient uptake.
Moreover, the development of roots with tight barriers to hinder radial O2 loss would also limit the radial diffusional entry of greenhouse gases into roots as well as reduce the plant-mediated diffusion of these gases from paddy fields.
This is a conceptual model showing how radial oxygen loss from root tips of rice drives bio-geochemical reactions in the wet soil. The model also presents the barrier to radial oxygen loss present on the proximal part of the root prevents CH4 intrusion and restricts the flow of CH4 to the shoot.
