Research project
MicroGRICE: Greenhouse Gas Reduction in RICE: MICRO-biome climate smart applications
Can we use indigenous microbial rice communities to reduce methane production in agricultural settings?
- Duration
- 2023 - 2026
- Contact
- Victor Carrion Bravo
- Partners
Dr. Simon Guerrero Cruz - Asian Institute of Technology (Thailand)
Dr. Adrian Ho Kah Wye - Institute for Microbiology (IFMB), Leibniz Universität Hannover (Germany)
Prof. Marcus A. Horn - Institute for Microbiology (IFMB), Leibniz Universität Hannover (Germany)
Prof. Dr. Salma Balazadeh - Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL), Universiteit Leiden
Description
Rice agriculture is a major contributor to climate change through the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG), namely: methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrous oxide (N2O). The magnitude of the impacts is proportional to the expansion of rice agriculture to feed the increasing global population (IPCC 2021, Saunois et al., 2020, FAOSTAT 2014). GHGs are released through diffusion from the soil-water or soil rhizosphere interfaces, or through ebullition of gas bubbles, and/or diffusion through the aerenchyma of rice plants and subsequent release (Davamani et al., 2020). GHGs are drivers and accelerators of climate change, affecting livelihoods of vulnerable communities in Asia through a domino effect causing alterations in temperature, and alterations of drought and flooding seasons. For this reason, research oriented to the understanding of fundamental sources of GHG emission and the development of mitigation strategies, are crucial for the management of rice agricultural systems and adaptative climate-smart solutions for climate change. Here we will use methanotrophic microorganisms for the control of methane fluxes as well as for promoting rice growth through the nitrogen fixing capabilities. This research aim to understand the functioning and utilization of these resulting in better management and agricultural practices.