Due to their extensive rice cultivation, some regions may be contributing to global warming. To what possible reason/reasons is this attributable?
- The anaerobic conditions associated with rice cultivation cause the emission of methane.
- When nitrogen-based fertilizers are used, nitrous oxide is emitted from the cultivated soil.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Both statements are correct
- Rice is typically cultivated in flooded fields, which create anaerobic soil conditions. Under these conditions, methanogenic bacteria decompose organic matter and produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to global warming. Additionally, the use of nitrogen-based fertilisers in rice cultivation leads to microbial processes in the soil that emit nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide has a global warming potential significantly higher than carbon dioxide. Both methane and nitrous oxide emissions from rice cultivation are well-documented contributors to climate change.
