❖ 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.