How a National Carbon Policy Could Affect Grain Variety Selection:  The Case of Rice in Arkansas

McFadden, Brandon R.; Nalley, Lawton Lanier; Popp, Michael P.

How a National Carbon Policy Could Affect Grain Variety Selection: The Case of Rice in Arkansas

Autores

McFadden, Brandon R.

Nalley, Lawton Lanier

Popp, Michael P.

Descripción

This study conducts a life cycle assessment (LCA) of carbon emissions and estimates the carbon sequestered in 14 commonly sown rice varieties across the Arkansas Delta. Given the uncertainty regarding future carbon legislation, and increased consumer and industry demand for “greener” products, this study estimates how potential carbon policies would affect rice cultivar selection Hybrid rice varieties, given their higher yield and higher yield per unit of green house gas (GHG) emission, are better positioned to take advantage of any increase in consumer demand for “greener” products and/or absorb any government policy better than conventional rice cultivars.