Sriphirom, et al (2024) The response of greenhouse gas emissions, crop yield, and soil health to water scarcity and biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More application in rice cultivation. Crop and Environment. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crope.2024.12.005

Rice farming, crucial for global food security, faces significant challenges from climate-induced water scarcity. A recent study in Central Thailand explored how water management and biochar application influence greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, crop yield, and soil health in rice cultivation.

The study evaluated four water regimes: continuous flooding (traditional practice) and water scarcity imposed during the tillering, reproductive, or both growth stages. Treatments included with and without biochar, a soil amendmentA soil amendment is any material added to the soil to enhance its physical or chemical properties, improving its suitability for plant growth. Biochar is considered a soil amendment as it can improve soil structure, water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial activity.   More derived from bamboo. Results showed water scarcity during the tillering stage significantly reduced methane (CH₄) emissions by 28–46%, primarily by suppressing methanogenic microbes. However, nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions increased, driven by enhanced nitrification during dry periods. Despite this, total GHG emissions, measured as global warming potential (GWP), decreased under water-scarce conditions by up to 58%.

Biochar addition amplified these benefits, reducing GHG emissions by approximately 12%, improving soil properties like pHpH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is. A pH of 7 is neutral, while lower pH values indicate acidity and higher values indicate alkalinity. Biochars are normally alkaline and can influence soil pH, often increasing it, which can be beneficial More and organic carbon sequestration, and enhancing nutrient availability. It also boosted crop yield by an average of 12.2%. Importantly, water scarcity during the reproductive stage negatively affected yields, emphasizing the need for precise timing of water restrictions.

The findings highlight water scarcity during the tillering stage, combined with biochar application, as a sustainable strategy to optimize resource use, mitigate environmental impacts, and maintain yields. This approach supports climate-resilient agriculture, offering practical solutions for farmers in water-limited regions.