Enabling Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction while Improving Rice Yield with a Methane-Derived Microbial Biostimulant

Abstract

Rice is a vital crop for food security and human nutrition, yet its cultivation produces [~]11% of total global anthropogenic methane (CH4) emissions - the second most important greenhouse gas (GHG). Modifications to rice management practice are necessary, both to increase yield and mitigate GHG emissions. We investigated the effect of a methane-derived microbial biostimulant on grain yield and GHG emissions from rice fields. Applications of microbial biostimulant resulted in significant enhancement of grain yield, even under different nitrogen management, with consistent reduction in GHG emissions. The study further outlines a potential mechanism for broad and diverse positive effects of microbial biostimulant on the paddy crop including in photosynthesis, tillering and panicle development. Observations from the study will help stakeholders and policy makers, leverage biological solutions like methane-derived microbial biostimulant to improve crop yield and address food security, while reducing anthropogenic CH4 emissions to meet targets agreed at COP26.