Comparative Emission of Methane from Different Rice Straw Management Practices in California-A Statewide Perspective

ABSTRACT

An assessment of the impact of three rice straw management options on the emission of greenhouse gases showed that the present de facto practice of straw incorporation into the soil would increase the emission of CO₂ equivalent by about 4 times over the pre-1991 unlimited open-field burning practice. Large-scale use of rice straw for the co-manufacture of paper and energy would provide a substantial net reduction of greenhouse gas emission arising from rice cropping and subsequent disposal of the straw. If there is an active trading market for CO₂ credit, the valuation could range from $0.85 million to $1.7 million annually for California rice farming.

KEYWORDS:

• Air pollution
• carbon dioxide
• greenhouse gas
• methane
• rice
• straw