Methane mitigator by India
❖ The first cultures of indigenous methane-mitigating agents, are discovered in rice fields and wetlands primarily in Western India. ❖ Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with 26 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. ❖ It is naturally counteracted by methanotrophs—methane-eating bacteria. ❖ Methylocucumis oryzae bacterium is a novel genus and species. ❖ These bacteria oxidise methane, producing CO2 and H2O, thereby preventing methane levels from skyrocketing. ❖ Methylocucumis oryzae promotes rice plant growth, inducing early flowering and increasing grain yield.