Rice straw reduction could curb methane emissions from rice fields.
The study looked at how adding rice straw to fields affects methane emissions and rice yields. By using a computer model and comparing it to real data from Thailand, researchers found that adding more rice straw to the soil increases methane emissions. This happens because the straw adds carbon and iron to the soil, creating conditions that are good for methane production. So, reducing the amount of rice straw added to fields could help lower methane emissions.