Aulakh suggests crop rotation

LUDHIANA, Nov 29: The only solution to prevent unprecedented damage to crops by unnatural climatic conditions in Punjab is crop rotation. The soil and other tests in Punjab suggest that this paddy crop in state can be replaced by sunflower and soyabean crop. This was pointed out by M.S.Aulakh, project scientist, soil and water sciences division, International Rice Research Institute, IRRI, Philippines, while talking to The Indian Express.The scientists said that mere crop rotation does not ensure the upliftment of financial status of farmers.

8220;Even if our state farmers now shift to soyabean or alternate crops, it is the government that has to play a crucial role in terms of improving the marketing and storage of the crop,8221; added Aulakh. Expressing his concern over the methane emissions from rice fields in the country, the expert asserted that this emission of methane is leading to the rapid rise in temperature of the earth surface thus contributing towards global warning.

8220;Today, rice fields alone are contributing 30 to 70 tg per year corresponding to 5-14 to the total emission of methane sources.

The rice plants contribute to the production of methane in the soil especially near its rhizophere by supplying readily available organise carbon sources through root exidates,8221; Aulakh pointed out. He further asserted that burning of crop residues, such as rice straw also produces such toxic gases and oxides which in turn lead to global pollution.

Suggesting a remedy to cope with problems caused by paddy fields the IRRI expert said that the desired plant trait of a low emission potential can be only reconciled with a high yield potential. Though the identification of crops that combine low methane emissions with high grain yield is the most challenging, but it is probably the most promising strategy for a sustained reduction of methane emission from paddy fields, he added.