gs1medium

Due to their extensive rice cultivation, some regions may be contributing to global warming. To what possible reason/reasons is this attributable?

  1. 1.The anaerobic conditions associated with rice cultivation cause the emission of methane.
  2. 2.When nitrogen based fertilizers are used, nitrous oxide is emitted from the cultivated soil.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.Both 1 and 2
  4. D.Neither 1 nor 2
▶ Answer & Explanation

Correct answer: A. 1 only

Rice paddies, when flooded, create anaerobic environments where organic matter decomposition produces significant amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Additionally, the application of nitrogen-based fertilizers to agricultural soils, including rice fields, leads to nitrification and denitrification processes, which release nitrous oxide, another powerful greenhouse gas. Both processes are well-established contributors to global warming associated with rice cultivation.

Source: UPSC gs1 2010

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