How is fertilizer N adjusted with the LCC?
• Rice farmers should measure leaf color immediately before applying fertilizer N at active tillering and panicle initiation. The amount of fertilizer N to be applied can then be adjusted upward or downward based on leaf color, which reflects the relative hunger of the crop for fertilizer N. • What is an LCC? • The LCC is usually a plastic, ruler-shaped strip containing four or more panels that range in color from yellowish green to dark green. Several types of LCCs with varying shades of color have been developed and distributed to rice farmers. This created uncertainties regarding which LCC to use and led to requests for a standardized LCC. • In October 2003, the External Review Panel of the Irrigated Rice Research Consortium recommended standardization of the LCC with harmonized color formula accompanied by calibration with local rice leaf characteristics and training of extension workers and farmers to use the LCC as soon as possible. IRRI in collaboration with the University of Ca
