Watch the color, save fertilizer...
An inexpensive leaf color chart to gauge the fertilizer
need of rice plants has jointly been developed by CREMNET-IRRI,
the Crop and Resource Management Network, and the Philippine Rice
Research Institute (PhilRice). The chart has seven gradients
of color from yellowish green to dark green. A simple instruction
card in the local language will go with the chart and help the
farmer to determine the level of nitrogen application needed in
the rice field. PhilRice will be distributing 15,000 leaf color
charts to extension agents and farmers in the Philippines this
year. Training to educate farmers and extension workers has already
started. CREMNET will soon extend this technology to other rice-growing
countries of Asia. The color chart is one among several ways
to improve nutrient management in irrigated areas grown with hybrid
rice and high yielding varieties to obtain increased yields and
attain better nutrient use efficiency. IRRI scientists aim at
increasing the rice plant's uptake of available nitrogen and improve
the efficiency of absorbed nitrogen. CREMNET is currently working
with national research and development organizations to facilitate
the free exchange, participatory evaluation, and promotion of
promising components and concepts of information-intensive technology
for more efficient crop and resource management in rice-based
farming systems.
(IRRI)
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