Leaf Color Chart

{{Short description|Tool used to determine the nitrogen level in rice plants}}

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| name = Leaf Color Chart

| caption = A farmer in Punjab determining the nitrogen levels in a rice paddy by using a leaf color chart.

| image = AIP-Rice farmer using leaf color chart-based nitrogen application in rice paddy in Punjab (15638478584) (cropped).jpg

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| uses = Diagnosis of nitrogen levels in plants (rice)

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| inventor = International Rice Research Institute

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The Leaf Color Chart (LCC) is a diagnostic tool used to determine the nitrogen level in rice plants relative to the shade of green of the plant's leaves. It is a ruler-shaped strip containing at least four panels of color, ranging from yellowish green to dark green. The leaf of the plant is compared with the color panels to determine how much nitrogen fertilizer is needed. It was developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).{{cite news |title=Use of leaf colour charts gaining popularity |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-127501 |access-date=11 August 2021 |work=The Daily Star |date=23 February 2010}}{{cite web |title=Leaf Color Chart (LCC) |url=http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/qualityseedcourse4women/images/stories/module%202/Leaf_Color_Chart_version_1.2.pdf |website=IRRI Rice Knowledge Bank |publisher=International Rice Research Institute |access-date=11 August 2021}}{{cite journal |title=Rice in Southeast Asia: facing risks and vulnerabilities to respond to climate change |journal=Building Resilience for Adaptation to Climate Change in the Agriculture Sector |page=307 |url=http://www.fao.org/3/i3084e/i3084e18.pdf |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization}}

The IRRI with the aid of the University of California Cooperative Extension, standardized the LCC. The standardized version is {{convert|12.7|cm|in}} long with four panels of colors.