Straw incorporation in rice paddies can help improve soil quality and reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but it can also increase methane emissions. Researchers in South Korea studied different ways of incorporating straw to reduce methane emissions without harming rice productivity. They found that applying straw in autumn, mixed with soil, after rice harvesting can decrease methane emissions by up to 65% compared to other methods. This method also slightly increased rice grain yield without affecting productivity. Spring application of straw, on the other hand, increased methane intensity significantly. Overall, incorporating straw in autumn with soil mixing is a smart way to reduce methane emissions while improving soil productivity.