A recent study surveying 180 rice varieties across 42 field trials globally found that genetic differences among rice strains play a major role in determining methane emissions, even more so than fertilizer use. Varieties with certain root traits (such as smaller air-channels called aerenchyma, lower root exudation of compounds that feed methane-producing microbes, and different oxygen release patterns) tend to emit far less methane, while still maintaining good yields.

By using modern tools like genomic selection and pairing these low-methane varieties with efficient nitrogen application, breeders could make rice cultivation substantially more climate-friendly.

Source: Earth.Com