Enhancing Sustainability in Indian Rice–Wheat Agroecosystem: a Review and Analysis of Fertilizer Management Practices and Greenhouse Gas (N2O) Emission Mitigation

Abstract

In India, the rice–wheat cropping system dominates, covering 10.5 million hectares of the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP), which accounts for 53% of the entire area of the IGP and contributes to approximately 50% of the overall food grain production. The large area under rice–wheat cultivation and the increased use of commercial fertilizers in Indian agriculture result in high emissions of the greenhouse gas (GHG) nitrous oxide (N₂O). The extensive reliance on inorganic fertilizers, ranging from 80 to 92% of usual consumption, is a major concern for the scientific community due to their production of threatening and long-lasting GHGs, particularly N₂O. This review is dedicated to a comprehensive exploration of N₂O emissions within distinct locations across India, focusing solely on both typical and controlled conditions. The primary objective is to unravel the intricate interplay of N₂O emissions within these contexts. Through its holistic approach, this review contributes to a more informed and effective strategy for mitigating N₂O emissions while optimizing crop productivity within the dynamic agricultural landscape of India. Furthermore, recent technological advancements, various N₂O mitigation policies, potential trade-offs, knowledge and capacity building in promoting N₂O mitigation strategies are also discussed in the review paper. The outputs from this study can be used to refine climate-smart agricultural practices at regional and global scales.