UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2022

Among the following crops, which one is the most important anthropogenic source of both methane and nitrous oxide?

  1. Cotton
  2. Rice
  3. Sugarcane
  4. Wheat

Answer

Correct Answer

Rice

Explanation

Flooded rice cultivation is a leading anthropogenic source of methane from wet paddy fields, and paddy soils also emit nitrous oxide, making rice the most important anthropogenic crop source of both gases.

Topics: climate change, environment, greenhouse gas emissions, rice cultivation