The Leaf Color Chart helps rice farmers identify when the crop needs nitrogen fertilizer. Rice leaf color is compared to the color chart. When the leaf color is the same as the third window from the left, nitrogen fertilizer is applied to the paddy.
The Leaf Color Chart is compared against a rice leaf to see if the plant needs nitrogen fertilizer. When the leaf is a certain shade of light-green, farmers apply nitrogen to the paddy. Applying nutrients only when the crop needs it prevents fertilizer waste and reduces pesticide use.
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Fertilizing a rice crop is not as easy as throwing nutrients into the paddy. Too much and the plant becomes succulent and susceptible to insect and disease. Too little and the plant grows poorly. In developed countries, consultants or extension agents analyze soil for nutrient content. A fertilizer program is then developed. However, rice farmers in developing countries do not have access to such services. Rice farmers are left with a difficult decision to fertilize at the proper time and with the proper amount.
A simple, easy-to-use Leaf Color Chart was developed by Dr. Veithaya Balasubramanian at the International Rice Research Institute to guide farmers in applying nitrogen fertilizer. Farmers compare the leaves from the rice plant to the 6 colors that range from a yellow-green to a dark-green on the plastic chart. When the leaf color reaches a particular shade of yellow-green, farmers know their rice crop needs nitrogen. Farmers are able to feed their hungry crop before starvation makes them less productive.
The Leaf Color Chart also helps protect people and the environment. Farmers in the Philippines who applied urea according to the Leaf Color Chart used less fertilizer and applied less insecticide than farmers who didn’t use the Leaf Color Chart. Farmers who used standard practices over-fertilized their crop making it vulnerable to insect attack. They had to apply pesticide to counter the effect of over-fertilization. With the help of the Leaf Color Chart, farmers are able to reduce their application of fertilizer and pesticides which can harm people and the environment when over-used. |
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