New records of very high nitrous oxide fluxes from rice cannot be generalized for water management and climate impacts

As scientists working at the International Rice Research Institute and other institutions that have investigated greenhouse gas emissions from rice fields, we read the recent article in PNAS by Kritee et al. (1) with great interest. The observed N2O emissions from rice fields in South India including previously unknown high rates definitely constitute an important finding that warrants being reported. We also agree that recommendations on farming practices should give close attention to timing and rates of N fertilizer application in relation to water management. Other generalizations in this study, however, are largely unfounded and speculative. We raise several critical issues that are further substantiated by information … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: r.wassmann{at}irri.org. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1