The research will provide more certainty for growers as it has shown that by changing growing management practise, they can contribute to a more sustainable future industry and climate resilience. In a practical sense, this involves reducing emissions by changing from traditional broadcast full-flooded systems to drill-sown systems while maintaining or increasing yield. Reducing the number of seasonal ponded days by delaying field filling for several weeks after sowing or considering transitioning to high-yielding automated aerobic surface irrigation systems are both effective strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from rice crops.
Key highlights
– An aerobic growing system with automated surface irrigation shows great promise for complete mitigation of CH4 but nitrogen fertiliser recommendations for this practise are required.
– There is an urgent need for agronomic nitrogen packages (timing and rates) to be developed for automated irrigated aerobic rice and rigorous evaluation of enhanced efficiency fertiliser products.