Estimation of carbon footprint and global warming potential in rice production systems

Dastan, Salman; Soltani, Afshin; Noormohamadi, Ghorban; Madani, Hamid; Yadi, Reza

Estimation of carbon footprint and global warming potential in rice production systems

Document Type : علمی - پژوهشی

Authors

¹ Department of Tissue Culture and Gene Transition, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII), Karaj

² Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Plant Production, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan

³ Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran

⁴ Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, ShahreQods Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak

⁵ Department of Agricultural Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Payame Noor University, Arak

Abstract

Optimal management approaches can be adopted in order to increase crop productivity and lower the carbon footprint of grain products. The objective of this study was to estimate the carbon (C) footprint and global warming potential of rice production systems. In this experiment, rice production systems (including SRI, improved and conventional) were studied. All activities, field operations and data in production methods and at different input rates were monitored and recorded during 2012. Results showed that average GWP across production systems was equal to 2803.25 kg CO2-eq ha-1. The highest and least GWP were observed in the SRI and conventional systems, respectively. GWP per unit energy input was the least and most in SRI and conventional systems, respectively. Also, the SRI and conventional systems had the maximum and minimum GWP per unit energy output, respectively. SRI and conventional system had the greatest and least GWP per unit energy output, respectively. Therefore, the optimal management approach found in SRI resulted in a reduction in GHGs, GWP and the carbon footprint.

Keywords