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  • SSNM approach
  • SSNM in three steps
  • Initial concept of SSNM
  • Current version of the SSNM approach
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  • Principles of N management
  • Background on making an N Recommendation
  • Using the SSNM approach to formulate locally adapted N recommendation
  • Using the Leaf Color Chart (LCC) for fertilizer N management
  • FAQs on N Management
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  • Principles of P and K management
  • Background on making P and K recommendations
  • Using SSNM approach to formulate P recommendations
  • Using SSNM approach to formulate K recommendations
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  • Bangladesh
  • China
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Myanmar
  • Philippines
  • Vietnam
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  • Introduction to SSNM version 1.1
  • N management
  • P&K management
  • Implementing SSNM recommendations
  • Making an SSNM recommendation for rice
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  • SSNM: an approach for optimizing nutrient use in intensive rice production
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  • Nutrient omission plot
  • Potassium addition plot
  • Zinc addition plot

Zinc addition plot technique 

3.      Surround the plot with a small soil bund with a height sufficient to prevent movement of surface water inside and outside the plot. For transplanted rice, do this about 14 days after transplanting; for direct seeded rice, do this 10-14 days after sowing rice.

4.      Then uniformly broadcast a pre-weighed amount of zinc sulfate within the plot about 14 days after transplanting or 10-14 days after sowing wet-seeded rice. The added zinc sulfate should be sufficient to supply 5 kg Zn ha⁻¹.

5.      After 4 days, place channels in the soil bund (i.e., break the soil bund) to allow water to freely flow in and out of the zinc addition plot. The plot would then receive irrigation water as part of the normal practice of irrigating the farmer’s field.

6.      Within 20 days after transplanting and sowing rice identify a representative 5 x 5 m area in the farmer’s field at least 10 m away from the zinc plot. This area must have the same cropping and fertilizer history as the area where the zinc addition plot is placed. Mark this area with bamboo or wooden stakes. It will be used for measuring rice yield without zinc addition.

7.      Manage the rice within the zinc addition plot exactly as in the adjacent farmer’s field.

Management of zinc addition plots 

Farmers use their own field management and irrigation operations practices. All field operations and all NPK fertilizer applications must be identical in the zinc addition plot as in the adjacent farmer’s field and in the area designated for the measurement of yield in the farmer’s field. 

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