A review of current GHG emissions in Chinese farmland and the carbon sequestration and emission reduction technologies

To address global climate change，reduce greenhouse gas（GHG）emissions，and support China's “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality” goals，this study reviews the current state of farmland carbon emissions in China and explores pathways for carbon sequestration and emission reduction from an agricultural perspective. A comprehensive analysis of carbon emissions across sectors，the composition of agricultural emission sources，and regional differences among provinces reveals that the evolution of China's GHG emissions can be divided into three phases：steady growth，rapid growth，and significant deceleration. The primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector include methane（CH₄）emissions from livestock enteric fermentation and rice production，as well as nitrous oxide（N₂O）emissions from microbial decomposition in agricultural soils. These sources exhibit significant regional and temporal variations，influenced by factors such as climate conditions，cropping patterns，and management practices. The study pointed out that changing current agricultural management practices is key to achieving emission reductions in agriculture. Optimizing management measures can not only mitigate agricultural carbon emissions but also enhance the carbon sequestration capacity of farmlands. Based on a cluster analysis of keywords and future research directions in the field of farmland carbon emissions in China，this study identifies current research hotspots and knowledge gaps. It emphasizes the importance of exploring regionally adaptive agronomic management practices to improve the effectiveness of carbon sequestration and emission reduction in different types of agricultural land，such as paddy fields and drylands. By analyzing the effects of high-frequency agronomic practices on increasing yields and reducing emissions，the study systematically elucidates the feasibility of measures such as optimizing water and fertilizer management，adjusting cropping structures，incorporating straw return and agricultural waste utilization，and adopting low-carbon agricultural equipment. This research provides systematic scientific evidence for theoretical studies and practical applications of farmland carbon sequestration and emission reduction in China. It also offers guidance for the promotion of relevant energy-saving and emission-reduction technologies. By focusing on the future pathways for green agricultural development，this study offers strategic insights for achieving the“dual-carbon”goals in China's agricultural sector.