Heavy usage of agricultural chemicals in the past few decades has raised environmental and ecological problems. Leaf chlorophyll content is closely related to soil nitrogen status. Different field nitrogen estimation techniques have been developed, which include direct and indirect methods. Currently nitrogen estimation is done by tissue and chemical analysis which consumes more time. Leaf colour chart (LCC) and Chlorophyll meters are efficient tool for instant, quick and accurate diagnosis of crop Nitrogen status in paddy. But the accuracy and efficiency of the instrument to determine the plant leaf colour depends upon the operators and atmospheric conditions. A low cost leaf colour analyser unit was developed by using a TCS3200 colour sensor. Toevaluate the newly devised leaf colour analyser unit, its field readings were compared with Total chlorophyll content measured by spectrophotometer. There was a negative linear correlation between colour sensor reading and leaf chlorophyll content. The statistical technique of Factorial Randomised Block Design (FRBD) was adopted to check the significant relations and statically analyzed using SPSS 16.0 statistical software package. The seasonal wise readings showing that chlorophyll content was bit high in summer season than winter season. The newly devised leaf colour analyser is a cheaper alternative to the costly tedious method which is being currently followed. The developed equipment is easy to carry to the field which reduce the TCC analysis time as compared to the traditional system.
Leaf colour chart, Chlorophyll meters, TCS3200 colour sensor, leaf colour analyser and Nitrogen
