Using Leaf Color Charts to Estimate Leaf Nitrogen Status of Rice
2003
Yang, Woon-Ho | Peng, Shaobing | Huang, Jianliang | Sanico, Arnel L. | Buresh, R. J. | Witt, Christian
Leaf color charts (LCCs) have substituted for chlorophyll meter (SPAD) to estimate leaf N status of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and to properly time N fertilizer application. The objectives of this study were to (i) compare three different types of LCC in estimating leaf N status, (ii) determine if specific leaf weight (SLW) affects the estimation of dry weight–based N concentration (Ndw) by LCC, and (iii) determine the relationship between LCC scores and SPAD values. Two field experiments were conducted in the Philippines with different N rates and cultivars grown during 2000 wet season and 2001 dry season. The LCC score and SPAD reading were taken on uppermost fully expanded leaves at three growth stages, and SLW was calculated as the ratio of dry weight to leaf area. Nitrogen content was determined by micro-Kjeldahl procedure and expressed as Ndw and leaf area–based N content (Nₐ). There was a linear relationship between LCC scores and Ndw at each growth stage (R ² range of 0.25–0.97) and across growth stages (R ² range of 0.46–0.62). Adjusting LCC scores for SLW (LCC/SLW) greatly improved the prediction of Ndw across growth stages (R ² range of 0.84–0.92), suggesting that leaf thickness affects LCC scores. Leaf color chart estimated Nₐ better than Ndw across growth stages. Leaf color chart scores were closely related to SPAD values (R ² range of 0.62–0.98). Strong correlations existed among the scores of the three types of LCC (r range of 0.93–0.99). They are all suitable for use by rice farmers in timing N topdressing.
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