Dry direct-seeded rice has higher energy and carbon production efficiencies.

Abstract

Water and energy shortages and food security challenges associated with global warming are essential issues affecting human survival and development. Rice is one of the world's top three staple food crops. In this study, the energy footprint (EF), carbon footprint (CF), energy production efficiency (EPE), carbon production efficiency (CPE), and economic benefit (EB) of dry direct-seeded rice (DSR), wet direct-seeded rice (WSR), and transplanted rice (TPR) were integrated and assessed. The yield of WSR and TPR was 9.64% and 13.76% higher than that of DSR, respectively. However, DSR has less irrigation and less intensive field tillage, therefore its energy input, and CF were 37.47%, 44.29% and 29.35%, 34.77% lower than those of WSR and TPR, respectively, and the EPE and CPE were obviously improved, and the EB was not lower than that of WSR and TPR. Current rice production relies heavily on non-renewable energy inputs such as nitrogen fertilizer, diesel, and machinery. Therefore, the key to improving EPE, CPE, and EB in rice production while reducing CF was to improve water use efficiency and decrease the intensity of paddy tillage. The DSR has higher social, economic, and ecological benefits and can be the preferred rice planting method for rice production areas. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.