Introduction to site-specific

nutrient management (SSNM)

Need for an improved approach to
nutrient management for rice
The need of rice for nutrients:
• Can differ from field to field
• Can differ year-to-year because of varying climate and
growing-season conditions

Fertilizer rates and timing should be adjusted to

location and season-specific needs and conditions
 SSNM: A plant-based approach
SSNM provides an approach for
‘feeding’ rice with nutrients as needed

• Make optimal use of existing nutrients, such as

from soil, residues, and manures
• Apply N fertilizer at the time and amount required
by the rice crop
• Apply P and K fertilizers based on crop need, as
determined through the omission plot technique
 Site-specific nutrient
management (SSNM)

1. Establish a
yield target – Feeding
the crop’s
total needs crop
needs!

3. Fill deficit
between total
needs and
indigenous
supply
2. Effectively
use existing
nutrients
 SSNM: A plant-based approach
Feed the plant’s need for additional nutrients

• Establish a yield target (plant’s need for nutrients)

• Effectively use the indigenous supply of nutrients
(soil, water, crop residues, and manures)
• Apply fertilizer to fill the gap between crop need and
indigenous supply

• Firmly based on scientific principles of nutrient

requirements of the crop to achieve high yields
 Nutrient management for rice:
“Match supply to need”
1. Apply only a moderate amount of fertilizer N within 2
weeks after transplanting or 21 days after sowing
2. Use the LCC to distribute N from 2 weeks after
transplanting
• Select an N dose and critical LCC value to achieve high
yield and 18 to 25 kg grain yield increase per kg N
applied
• Achieve 1 ton yield increase with 40 to 55 kg N/ha

3. Apply sufficient P and K to overcome deficiency and

replace nutrient removed with crop harvest
• Apply P basal
• Split apply K (50% basal and 50% at panicle initiation)
Source of nutrients taken up by rice

• Soil
• Crop residues and manures
• Irrigation water
• Biological N2 fixation
• Fertilizers
Source of nutrients taken up by rice
Nitrogen Potassium
Nutrient needed for
yield target

Biological N2 fixation

Irrigation water

Crop residues &

manures

Soil
Source of nutrients taken up by rice
Nitrogen Potassium
Nutrient needed for
yield target
gap
Biological N2 fixation

Irrigation water

Crop residues &

manures

Soil
Indigenous
nutrient
supply
Source of nutrients taken up by rice
Nitrogen Potassium
Nutrient needed for
yield target
Fertilizer
Biological N2 fixation

Irrigation water

Crop residues &

manures

Soil
SSNM aims to increase profit for
rice farmers through

• High yield
• High efficiency of fertilizer use
 Implementing SSNM
• Match early application of N with low initial
demand of rice for N.
• Dynamically apply N based on leaf color, as
a measure of plant need for N.
• Determine P and K needs based on crop
growth to overcome deficiency and replace
nutrient removed with crop harvest.
• Use existing recommendations for
micronutrients.
• Provide principles and guidelines to assist
decision making by extension and farmers.
Development and evaluation of site-specific
nutrient management (SSNM) for rice
YU
HZAU ZU
GBPUAT
HAU
BRRI
GAAS
NISF
MAS
PhilRice
PTRRC
TRRI HUAF
SWMRI CLRRI

Member from 1994 or 1997

Member from 2001
Affiliated member
IIRR
SDC IFA IPI PPI/PPIC