Rice Cultivation and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Review and Conceptual Framework with Reference to Ghana

Abstract

Abstract:Rice is an essential crop in Ghana. Several aspects of rice have been studied to increase its production; however, the environmental aspects, including impact on climate change, have not been studied well. There is therefore a gap in knowledge, and hence the need for continuous research. By accessing academic portals, such as Springer Open, InTech Open, Elsevier, and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology's offline campus library, 61 academic publications including peer reviewed journals, books, working papers, reports, etc. were critically reviewed. It was found that there is a lack of data on how paddy rice production systems affect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly emissions estimation, geographical location, and crops. Regarding GHG emission estimation, the review identified the use of emission factors calibrated using temperate conditions which do not suit tropical conditions. On location, most research on rice GHG emissions have been carried out in Asia with little input from Africa. In regard to crops, there is paucity of in-situ emissions data from paddy fields in Ghana. Drawing on the review, a conceptual framework is developed using Ghana as reference point to guide the discussion on fertilizer application, water management rice cultivars, and soil for future development of adaptation strategies for rice emission reduction.

A natural tropical freshwater wetland is a better climate change mitigation option through soil organic carbon storage compared to a rice paddy wetland

“…Most of the existing literature on rice paddy wetlands in Africa and Uganda in particular has given much attention to rice yields rather than carbon storage [23][24][25][26]. This limits an understanding of SOC stocks of rice paddy wetlands in this region.…”

Role of biochar in managing the irrigation water requirements of maize plants: the pyramid model signifying the soil hydro-physical and environmental markers

“…On the other hand, crop production is generally affected negatively by the corresponding increases in temperature (Mahmoud, 2017). Thus, managing rice residues is the key to minimize the emissions of GHGs (Boateng et al, 2017) probably through incorporation in the production of biochar (Wei et al, 2019).…”

Identifying high-yield low-emission pathways for the cereal production in South Asia

“…Synthetic fertilizer is one of the major and fastest growing emission sources in agriculture (Camargo et al 2013 ; Shcherbak et al 2014 ), together with paddy rice ( Oryza sativa L.) cultivation and burning of crop residues (Wassmann et al 2000 ; INCCA 2010 ; Boateng et al 2017 ). Energy and fertilizer consumption is particularly high in intensive cereal production systems.…”