Microwave‐oven drying of rice leaves for rapid determination of dry weight and nitrogen concentration

Abstract Predicting the need for fertilizer‐nitrogen (N) topdressing based on plant N status is an important N management strategy for increasing both grain yield and N‐use efficiency of irrigated rice. Plant N analysis by conventional‐oven drying and micro‐Kjeldahl procedure generally requires several days. Accurate estimation of leaf N content per unit dry weight (Ndw) at different growth stages by the chlorophyll meter requires that meter‐reading values (SPAD values) be adjusted for specific leaf weight (SLW). This study demonstrated that a microwave oven can be used for drying rice leaves for quick estimation of leaf dry weight without significantly influencing the estimation of Ndw by micro‐Kjeldahl procedure. Microwave oven drying of 0.5 g (dry weight) leaf samples required only two minutes. Extended exposure duration up to six minutes did not alter the measured Kjeldahl N concentration. Specific leaf weight determined with microwave‐oven drying improved the prediction of Ndw by SPAD. The chlorophyl...