Garussal 'Baromi2' Produces 36% Less Methane Emissions

Late Rice Transplanting in Late June Shortens Growing Period by About 20 Days

The glutinous rice variety 'Baromi2' was found to emit 36% less methane than 'Saeilmi,' which has the largest cultivation area in South Korea.

According to research results from the National Institute of Crop Science under the Rural Development Administration on the 13th, when comparing total methane emissions by cultivating Baromi2, a glutinous rice, and Saeilmi, one of the widely cultivated mid-late maturing varieties (accounting for 85.9% of the total rice cultivation area in South Korea), the paddy fields growing Baromi2 emitted about 36% less methane.

Methane emissions from paddy fields are greatly influenced by weather conditions such as temperature, the period of water retention, and the growth amount of rice plants. A representative from the institute explained, "Baromi2 is an early maturing rice variety (average cultivation period of 117 days), so compared to the mid-late maturing varieties (average cultivation period of 136 days) with longer growing periods, the water retention period is shorter. Also, generally, rice growth peaks and temperatures are highest in July and August, resulting in the highest methane emissions during the entire rice cultivation period. Since glutinous rice is suitable for late transplanting, it emits less methane than other rice cultivations."

Based on this research, the Rural Development Administration plans to expand the study area to regions such as Jeonbuk and Gyeongnam next year and conduct follow-up research to precisely quantify the methane reduction effect of Baromi2 glutinous rice. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will actively review institutional measures that can provide practical benefits to the agricultural and food industries, such as low-carbon agricultural product certification, by utilizing the results of follow-up demonstration studies through proactive administration.