Among the following crops, which one is the most important anthropogenic source of both methane and nitrous oxide ?

The correct answer is Rice.

Key Points

• Irrigated rice or paddy crop cultivation has been identified as one of the leading global agricultural sources of anthropogenic methane (CH4) emissions.
• It has been estimated that global rice production is responsible for 11% of total anthropogenic CH4 emissions.
• Irrigated rice fields are the major source of methane from rice fields.
• Although irrigated rice comprises only 50% of the harvested rice area, it produces 70% of the rice harvested.
• Hence, Among the following crops, Rice is the most important anthropogenic source of both methane and nitrous oxide. Hence, Option 2 is correct.

Additional Information

• The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon that insulates the Earth from the cold of space.
• As incoming solar radiation is absorbed and re-emitted back from the Earth’s surface as infrared energy, greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere prevent some of this heat from escaping into space, instead of reflecting the energy back to further warm the surface.
• Anthropogenic (human-caused) GHG emissions are modifying the Earth’s energy balance between incoming solar radiation and the heat released back into space, amplifying the greenhouse effect and resulting in climate change.