Key Points
Methane, the second most important greenhouse gas, has 26 times more global warming potential than carbon dioxide..
It is produced by methanogens in wetlands, rice fields, ruminants, and landfills...
Scientists from the MACS Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) have reported the discovery of India's first indigenous methane-eating bacteria, known as methanotrophs, in rice fields and wetlands in Western India...
Led by Dr. Monali Rahalkar, the team isolated and described a novel genus and species of methanotrophs, named Methylocucumis oryzae, which have the potential to address upcoming climate challenges...
These bacteria thrive in environments where both methane and oxygen are present, such as wetlands, rice fields, ponds, and other water bodies...
