Among the following crops, which one is the most important anthropogenic source of both methane and nitrous oxide ?

1. A. Cotton
2. B. Rice
3. C. Sugarcane
4. D. Wheat

Answer: B

Explanation

Paddy fields are anthropogenic sources of atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4), which have been reckoned as 273 and 80-83 times more powerful than CO2 in driving temperature increase in 20 years. Paddies are a potential source of anthropogenic nitrous oxide (N2O) emission. In paddies, both the soil and the rice plants emit N2O into the atmosphere. The rice plant in the paddy is considered to act as a channel between the soil and the atmosphere for N2O emission.