Differing responses of root morphology and physiology to nitrogen application rates and their relationships with grain yield in rice

Root morphology and physiology influence aboveground growth and yield formation in rice.However,root morphological and physiological differences among rice varieties with differing nitrogen(N)sensitivities and their relationship with grain yield are still unclear.In this study,rice varieties differing in N sensitivity over many years of experiments were used.A field experiment with multiple N rates(0,90,180,270,and 360 kg ha^(-1))was conducted to elucidate the effects of N application on root morphology,root physiology,and grain yield.A pot experiment with root excision and exogenous application of 6-benzyladenine(6-BA)at heading stage was used to further verify the above effects.The findings revealed that(1)under the same N application rate,N-insensitive varieties(NIV)had relatively large root biomass(root dry weight,length,and number).Grain yield was associated with root biomass in NIV.The oxidation activity and zeatin(Z)+zeatin riboside(ZR)contents in roots obviously and positively correlated with grain yield in N-sensitive varieties(NSV),and accounted for its higher grain yield than that of NIV at lower N application rates(90 and 180 kg ha^(-1)).(2)The root dry weight required for equal grain yield of NIV was greater than that of NSV.Excision of 1/10 and 1/8 of roots at heading stage had no discernible effect on the yield of Liangyoupeijiu(NIV),and it significantly reduced yield by 11.5%and 21.3%in Tianyouhuazhan(NSV),respectively,compared to the treatment without root excision.The decrease of filled kernels and grain weight after root excision was the primary cause for the yield reduction.Root excision and exogenous 6-BA application after root excision had little influence on the root activity of NIV.The oxidation activity and Z+ZR contents in roots of NSV decreased under root excision,and the increase in the proportion of excised roots aggravated these effects.The application of exogenous 6-BA increased the root activity of NSV and increased filled kernels and grain weight,thereby reducing yield loss after root excision.Thus,the root biomass of NIV was large,and there may be a phenomenon of"root growth redundancy."Vigorous root activity was an essential feature of NSV.Selecting rice varieties with high root activity or increasing root activity by cultivation measures could lead to higher grain yield under lower N application rates.

Decreased panicle N application alleviates the negative effects of shading on rice grain yield and grain quality

Light deficiency is a growing abiotic stress in rice production.However,few studies focus on shading effects on grain yield and quality of rice in East China.It is also essential to investigate proper nitrogen(N)application strategies that can effectively alleviate the negative impacts of light deficiency on grain yield and quality in rice.A two-year field experiment was conducted to explore the effects of shading(non-shading and shading from heading to maturity)and panicle N application(NDP,decreased panicle N rate;NMP,medium panicle N rate;NIP,increased panicle N rate)treatments on rice yield-and quality-related characteristics.Compared with non-shading,shading resulted in a 9.5-14.8%yield loss(P<0.05),mainly due to lower filled-grain percentage and grain weight.NMP and NIP had higher(P<0.05)grain yield than NDP under non-shading,and no significant difference was observed in rice grain yield among NDP,NMP,and NIP under shading.Compared with NMP and NIP,NDP achieved less yield loss under shading because of the increased filled-grain percentage and grain weight.Shading reduced leaf photosynthetic rate after heading,as well as shoot biomass weight at maturity,shoot biomass accumulation from heading to maturity,and nonstructural carbohydrate(NSC)content in the stem at maturity(P<0.05).The harvest index and NSC remobilization reserve of NDP were increased under shading.Shading decreased(P<0.05)percentages of brown rice,milled rice,head rice,and amylose content while increasing(P<0.05)chalky rice percentage,chalky area,chalky degree,and grain protein.NMP demonstrated a better milling quality under non-shading,while NDP demonstrated under shading.NDP exhibited both lower chalky rice percentage,chalky area,and chalky degree under non-shading and shading,compared with NMP and NIP.NDP under shading decreased amylose content and breakdown but increased grain protein content and setback,contributing to similar overall palatability to non-shading.Our results suggested severe grain yield and quality penalty of rice when subjected to shading after heading.NDP improved NSC remobilization,harvest index,and sink-filling efficiency and alleviated yield loss under shading.Besides,NDP would maintain rice’s milling,appearance,and cooking and eating qualities under shading.Proper N management with a decreased panicle N rate could be adopted to mitigate the negative effects of shading on rice grain yield and quality.

Effects of Water and Nitrogen Application on Photosynthetic Characteristics of Flag Leaves and Grain Yield of Wheat

[Objective] The aim was to provide a scientific and rational water,nitrogen model for achieving high yield,high quality of wheat and water and fertilizer saving.[Method] Under the field conditions,the effects of irrigation frequencies and N application times on net photosynthetic rate（Pn）,chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of flag leaf and yield of wheat was studied.[Result] The differences on Pn,chlorophyll fluorescence parameters Fv/Fo,Fv/Fm,qP,qN of flag leaves and yield of wheat among different irrigation times had reached a significant level,and the difference between treatment without irrigation and irrigation treatments were relatively large;the difference on Pn,Fv/Fo,Fv/Fm,qP and qN between treatments of basal application of N fertilizer and N application（40%）in returning green stage was not significant,however,the photosynthetic parameters and yield of two treatments were obviously lower than that of N application（40%）in jointing stage or booting stage.[Conclusion] The effects of irrigation frequencies and N application times showed significant interaction effects on photosynthetic characteristics of wheat flag leaves and yield,in which W2N4 treatment combination was best.

Effects of Postponing N Application on Metabolism,Absorption and Utilization of Nitrogen of Summer Maize in SuperHigh Yield Region

[Objective] The aim was to explore effects of application postponing of N fertilizer and the mechanism of yield increase in order to provide references for N fertilizer application in a rational way. [Method] In a super-high yielded region of summer maize, field experiment was conducted to research effects of N fertilizer postponing on key enzymes of N metabolism, yield of maize and N fertilizer use. [Result] After application of N fertilizer was postponed, NR, SPS and GS activities of ear-leaf of summer maize increased by 11.99%-34.87%, 8.25%-10.64% and 10.00%- 16.81% on the 28^th d of silking; content of soluble sugar in leaves enhanced signifi- cantly and accumulated nitrogen increased by 5.00%-9.74% in mature stage. The postponing fertilization of ＂30% of fertilizer in seedling stage＋30% of fertilizer in flare- opening stage＋40% of fertilizer in silking stage meets N demands of summer maize in late growth period. Compared with conventional fertilization, the maize yield, agro- nomic efficiency and use of N fertilizer all improved by 5.05%, 1.75 kg/kg and 6.87%, respectively, after application postponed. [Conclusion] Application postponing of N fertilizer maintains activity of NR, GS and SPS higher and coordinates metabolism of C and N in late growth period, to further improve yield of maize.

Ammonia Volatilization and Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency in Response to Urea Application in Rice Fields of the Taihu Lake Region,China

Ammonia volatilization losses, nitrogen utilization efficiency, and rice yields in response to urea application to a rice field were investigated in Wangzhuang Town, Changshu City, Jiangsu Province, China. The N fertilizer treatments, applied in triplicate, were 0 （control）, 100, 200, 300, or 350 kg N ha^-1. After urea was applied to the surface water, a continuous airflow enclosure method was used to measure ammonia volatilization in the paddy field. Total N losses through ammonia volatilization generally increased with the N application rate, and the two higher N application rates （300 and 350 kg N ha^-1） showed a higher ratio of N lost through ammonia volatilization to applied N. Total ammonia loss by ammonia volatilization during the entire rice growth stage ranged from 9.0% to 16.7% of the applied N. Increasing the application rate generally decreased the ratio of N in the seed to N in the plant. For all N treatments, the nitrogen fertilizer utilization efficiency ranged from 30.9% to 45.9%. Surplus N with the highest N rate resulted in lodging of rice plants, a decreased rate of nitrogen fertilizer utilization, and reduced rice yields. Calculated from this experiment, the most economical N fertilizer application rate was 227 kg ha^-1 for the type of paddy soil in the Taihu Lake region. However, recommending an appropriate N fertilizer application rate such that the plant growth is enhanced and ammonia loss is reduced could improve the N utilization efficiency of rice.

Effect of Intensive Inorganic Fertilizer Application on Microbial Properties in a Paddy Soil of Subtropical China

A field experiment with rice-rice rotation was conducted since 2002 in southeast China for investigating the response of soil microbial properties to intensive nitrogen fertilizer application. The tested soil was a subtropical paddy soil derived from Quaternary red clay. Differences between treatments existed in different application rates of urea when the experiment was designed. Urea was applied in five rates, i.e., 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 U, equivalent to 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 times the local average amount of urea application （900 kg urea ha-~ yr-~, equivalent to 414 kg N ha-1 yr-~）. In 2007, soil total nitrogen, available nitrogen, and soil organic carbon contents were increased by 10.2-27.9, 8.0-16.0, and 10.2-30.6%, respectively, in treatments with urea application rates of 0.5 to 2 U compared to control （0 U）. Microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen were also increased by 3.1-30.8 and 1.3-13.9%, respectively, in treatments with urea application. Basal respiration in treatments with urea input were 9.4-29.1% higher than that in control. However, changes of bacterial functional diversity had different trends. Urea fertilization enhanced bacterial functional diversity until treatment of 1 U, but re-decreased it from treatment of 1.5 U. Principal components analysis indicated that there were intimate relationships among soil organic matter, nitrogen nutrient, microbial biomass, and respiration. Nevertheless, microbial diversity was related to soil moisture contents after urea application. We conclude here that the application of N fertilizer improved soil microbial biomass and respiratory activity. But, microbial diversity was reduced when excessive urea was applied in the tested paddy soil.

Distribution and accumulation of zinc and nitrogen in wheat grain pearling fractions in response to foliar zinc and soil nitrogen applications

Increasing zinc(Zn)concentration in wheat grain is important to minimize human dietary Zn deficiency.This study aimed to investigate the effect of foliar Zn and soil nitrogen(N)applications on the accumulation and distribution of N and Zn in grain pearling fractions,N remobilization,and the relationships between nutrient concentration in the vegetative tissues and grain or its fractions in two cropping years in the North China Plain.The results showed a progressive decrease in N and Zn concentrations from the outer to the inner parts of grain,with most of the accumulation in the core endosperm.Foliar Zn application significantly increased N concentration in the pericarp,and soil N application increased N concentration in each grain fraction.Both treatments significantly increased core endosperm Zn concentration.Foliar Zn had no effect on grain N and Zn distribution.Soil N application made N concentrated in the aleurone,promoted Zn translocation to the core endosperm and also increased N remobilization and its efficiency from the shoot to the grain,but no improved contribution to grain was found.N concentration in grain and its fractions were positively correlated with N in vegetative organs at anthesis and maturity,while positive correlations were obtained between N concentration in the pericarp and progressive central area of the endosperm and Zn concentration in the core endosperm.Thus,foliar Zn and soil N applications effectively increased yield and N and Zn concentrations in the wheat grain,particularly in the endosperm,and could be promising strategies to address Zn deficiency.

Short Response of Spring Wheat to Tillage, Residue Management and Split Nitrogen Application in a Rice-Wheat System

A ifeld experiment was conducted to study the impact of tillage, crop residue management and nitrogen （N） splitting on spring wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） yield over 2 yr （2010-2012） in a rice （Oryza sativa L.）-wheat system in northwestern Pakistan. The experiment was conducted as split plot arranged in randomized complete blocks design with three replications. Treatments comprised six tillage and residue managements：zero tillage straw retained （ZTsr）, zero tillage straw burnt （ZTsb）, reduced tillage straw incorporated （RTsi）, reduced tillage straw burnt （RTsb）, conventional tillage straw incorporated （CTsi）, and conventional tillage straw burnt （CTsb） as main plots and N （200 kg ha-1） was applied as split form viz., control （no nitrogen＆no splitting, N0S0）;2 splits of total N, half at sowing and half at the 1st irrigation （i.e., 20 d after sowing （DAS）） （NS1）;3 splits of total N, 1/3 at sowing, 1/3 at the 1st irrigation, and 1/3 at the 2nd irrigation （NS2）;4 splits of total N, 1/4 at sowing, 1/4 at the 1st irrigation, 1/4 at the 2nd irrigation （45 DAS）, and 1/4 at the 3rd irrigation （70 DAS） （NS3）;and 4 splits of total N, 1/4 at the 1st irrigation, 1/4 at the 2nd irrigation, 1/4 at the 3rd irrigation, and 1/4 at the 4th irrigation （95DAS） （NS4） as sub plots. The results showed that the most pikes m-2, grains/spike, 1 000-grain weight, grain yield, and N use efifciency （NUE） were obtained at zero tillage, straw retained and 4 splits application of total N （i.e., at sowing 20, 45 and 70 d after sowing）. The results indicated that ZTsr with application of 200 kg N ha-1 in 4 equal splits viz. at sowing 20, 45 and 70 d after sowing is an appropriate strategy that enhanced wheat yield （7 436-7 634 kg ha-1） and N efifciency （28.6-29.5 kg kg-1） in rice-wheat system.

Effect of Postponing Nitrogen Application on Growth and Yield of Different Wheat Cultivars

[Objective] The aim was to study whether there are differences in top- dressing period for wheat cultivars. [Method] With three representative wheat culti- vats selected, effects of different N topdressing period on wheat tiller dynamics and yield components were studied. [Result] Appropriately postponing N topdressing time improved the yield of wheat. Appropriate N topdressing time tended to be volatile upon wheat cultivar. Jointing stage was appropriate for topdresSing for most wheat cultivars such as Jimai 22 and Linmai No. 4 and flowering stage was appropriate for the cultivar featured by early-senescence such as LN66. [Conclusion]It is neces- sary to select the optimal topdressing time according to wheat characteristics.

Effects of N Application Rates and NO_3-N to NH_4-N Ratios on Yield and Quality of Flue-cured Tobacco Planted in Black Soil

A field experiment about effects of nitrogen application rates and different NO3-N to NH4-N ratios on agronomic, chemical and biological characteristics as well as yield and quality of flue-cured tobacco grown in a black soil was conducted from 2004 to 2005 in Heilongjiang Province. The results showed that the nitrogen application rates at 45 kg·hm^-2 with the ratio of 75% NO3-N to 25% NH4-N resulted in the highest potassium and reducing sugar contents in the flue-cured tobacco leaving with the highest quality grade and value. It is recommended that this ni- trogen application rate and NO3-N to NH4-N ratio should be widely applied on flue-cured tobacco grown in the black soil in Heilongjiang Province.

Effects of Nitrogen Amount on the Photosynthesis Parameters of Summer Millet in North China

In this study,effects of nitrogen（ N） amount applied on photosynthesis behaviors of the summer millet in North China was investigated. Photosynthetic rates（ Pn）,chlorophyll contents（ Chl）,photosynthetic active duration（ PAD）,and chlorophyll relative steady phase（ RSP） in flag and the upper third leaves were assessed in cultivars of Baogu 19,Jigu 19,9050,and 60 D under three N treatments [i. e.,0（ control）,75,and 150 kg/hm2]. Results indicated that the photosynthesis parameters were drastically regulated by external N levels,all of them showing elevation along with the increased N input in both assayed leaves.Among the cultivars examined,behaviors of the photosynthetic parameters were much better in Baogu 19 and worse in 60 D. The plant yields in the cultivars under various N treatments were shown to be in consistent with the behavior of the photosynthesis parameters. Correlation analysis revealed that plant yield is positively correlated with Pn and Chl and significantly positively correlated with PAD and RSP,suggesting that longer effective photosynthetic duration of leaves impacts largely on plant biomass production and the yield formation potential. Our investigation indicates that suitable external N applied can increase the yield of summer millet associating with the improvement of photosynthesis behaviors in upper leaves that contribute to plant biomass at the late growth stage. Baogu 19 exhibited higher plant yield together with improved photosynthetic parameters in upper leaves,suggesting its potential as an elite cultivar in planting in the summer season of North China.

Effects of Nitrogen Application Rate and Seeding Density on Plant Growth and Seed Yield of Direct-seeding Rape

[Objectives] This study was conducted to explore the effects of different N application rates and densities on the growth and development of direct-seeding rape as well as on its yield.[Methods] A field experiment was carried out by setting five N fertilizer treatments and three density levels.[Results] Increasing seeding density and N application rate could improve the seed yield of rape. The suitable N application rate for the three densities were calculated using the fitted fertilizer efficiency models, respectively, to be 186.77, 221.35 and 236.14 kg/hm^2, at which the yields were the highest. The results showed that in this area, the seeding density of direct-seeding rape could be selected in the range of 6.0×10^5-7.5×10^5 plants/hm^2, and the suitable N application rate could be in the range of 221.35-236.14 kg/hm^2.[Conclusions] This study provides a theoretical basis for the maximization of spatial resource and efficient utilization of fertilizer.

Evaluation of a model recommended for N fertilizer application in irrigated rice

The response of rice to N fertilizer applicationhas shown that high rates of N application donot always ensure a proportional increase inyield due to high N losses. A model, ORYZA-0 was developed by ten Berge for designingoptimum N fertilizer management strategy inrice. We evaluated the performance ofORYZA-0 in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province. ORYZA-0 includes N uptakes, partition-ing of N among the organs, and utilization ofleaf N in converting solar energy to dry mat-ter. It can predict the amount and time of Nfertilizer application to achieve a maximumbiomass or yield combining with Price algo-rithm optimization procedure.

Water and Fertilizer Coupling Model for the Yield of Greenhouse Eggplant in Winter Cropped in Ningxia Southern Mountain Region

[Objective] The research aimed to study the coupling model of water and fertilizer for the yield of winter eggplant in greenhouse in Ningxia southern mountain region and provide reference for the criteria and cost-saving cultivation of agriculture vegetables in Ningxia southern mountain region.[Method] By using quadratic general rotary unitized design,the mathematics simulation was made on the main cultivation factors(irrigated amount,N application amount,K application amount)that affected the greenhouse eg...

Effects of Late Nitrogen Application on Nitrogen Translocation and Protein Fractions of Wheat Genotypes Differing in Protein Content

In order to investigate the effeits of late nitrogen application on nitrogen translocation and protein fractions, three genotypes differing in protein content were studied in pot experiments at low and high fertility regimes with late foliar nitrogen application. At high fertility, late nitrogen application increased N translocation and improved N translocation efficiency greatly, however, cultivar differences were found at low fertility and late nitrogen application increased both leaf and chaff N translocation, and increased culm N translocation only at high fertility. Relative contributions of vegetative components to N translocation efficiency were altered by late nitrogen application. Albumin and gliadin contents at maturity were decreased by late nitrogen application for all cultivars used, and cultivar variations for globulins were also observed. Xin Kehan No. 9, the high yielding, low grain protein content cultivar remained no change for glutenin content to late nitrogen application, Dongnong 7742, the high yielding, high grain protein content, decreased slightly, and Roblin, high grain protein but low yielding cultivar decreased only at hihg fertility. Residual protein contents were significantly increased by late nitrogen application for all cultivars. It was concluded that nitrogen applied at later stage could be used efficiently noly at high fertility, and most of the N translocated were used for the synthesis of residual proteins.

Effects of Density, Fertilizer and Chemical Control on Yield of Japonica Variety 'Tongyoujing 1' and Technology Optimization

The effects of different basic seedlings, N application rates and paclobutrazol measures on the development and yield of Tongyoujing 1 population were studied through the D-saturated optimum regression design tests. The results showed thatthe effects of various factors on yield under the experimental conditions were in order of N application rate basic seedlings paclobutrazol dosage. The increases of basic seedlings and N application rate are beneficial to the increases of population quantity and tiller density, and could improve number of panicles per unit area and increase the population leaf area and accumulated amount of dry matter.However, too-high basic seedlings and N application rate would reduce reproductive tiller percentage and economic coefficient, and prolong growth duration. Proper basic seedlings could coordinate the correlation between tiller density and productive tiller percentage, ensure higher leaf area and dry matter accumulation at filling stage,and improve yield of Tongyoujing 1. According to the multivariate nonlinear regression analysis of yield with various factors, Tongyoujing 1 could reach its maximum yield potential of 12 606.0 kg/hm2 under the basic seedlings of 55.2×104/hm2, N application rate at 339.2 kg/hm2, and paclobutrazol dosage of 97.9 g/hm2. The comprehensive agricultural measures for a yield higher than 11 250 kg/hm2were： basic seedlings 52.6 ×10^4-60.1 ×10^4/hm2, N application rate 328.0-356.1 kg/hm2, and paclobutrazol dosage 87.6-104.6 g/hm2.

Density and Fertilization Optimization for Highyielding Cultivation of a Wheat Variety Heibaoshi 1

The growth period, population tiller dynamics, plant characters, paniclegrain structure, yielding ability and stress resistance of a wheat variety Heibaoshi 1 were studied using a two-factor split plot design to investigate the effects of different density and fertilizer levels on individual development and yield of Heibaoshi 1 in riparian region of Jiangsu Province. In addition, high-yielding agronomic measures were explored through multiple non-linear regression analysis. The results showed that low density was not conducive to the formation of panicles, while high density affected grain number per panicle; low fertilizer level restricted individual development, while high fertilizer level affected grain number per panicle and grain weight and was prone to leading to lodging. Reasonable combination of density and fertilizer could coordinate individual development and balance panicle, grain and weight, thus achieving a high yield. The yield potential was highest （7 384.3 kg/hm2） under density of 239.6×104 basic seedlings/hm2 and N level of 237.7 kg/hm2. When the planting density ranged from 200×104 to 270×104 basic seedlings/hm2 and the N level ranged from 220 to 260 kg/hm2 or the density basic seedling number ranged from 210×104/hm2 to 260×104/hm2 and the N level ranged from 210 to 270 kg/hm2, the yield could exceed 7 200 kg/hm2.

Genotypic Differences in Grain Yield and Physiological Nitrogen Use Efficiency Among Rice Cultivars

Efficient use of N in agricultural practice can increase yield, decrease production costs and reduce the risk of environmental pollution. Effects of N fertilizer application rates on grain yield and physiological N use efficiency (PE) in relation to the accumulation and redistribution of biomass and N in rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars were studied at two experimental farms of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China in 2004. Three high N use efficiency (NUE) rice cultivars (Wuyunjing 7, Nanguang and 4007) and one low NUE rice cultivar (Elio) with similar growth patterns were studied under seven N rates (0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 kg ha -1 ). Grain yield increased with the N application rate and attained plateau at 180 kg N ha -1 for rice cultivars at each site. Increasing N rate decreased PE for biomass and grain yield. Grain yield and PE of Elio were about 20% and 18% lower than those of high NUE cultivars. Differences in biomass, N accumulation and N redistribution were observed at the post-heading stage among rice cultivars with differing NUEs. The less reproductive tillers of Elio resulted in less demand for C and N during grain filling, thus leading to lower PE of Elio compared with the high NUE rice cultivars.

N Accumulation and Translocation in Four Japonica Rice Cultivars at Different N Rates

Developing high-yielding rice(Oryza sativa L.)cultivars depends on having a better understanding of nitrogen(N) accumulation and translocation to the ear during the reproductive stage.Field experiments were carried out to evaluate the genetic variation for N accumulation and translocation in different Japonica rice cultivars at different N rates and to identify any relationship to grain yield in southeast China.Four Japonica cultivars with similar agronomic characteristics were grown at two experimental sites in 2004 with three N rates of 0,60,and 180 kg N ha^(-1).Dry weights and N contents of rice plants were measured at tillering,initiation,anthesis,and maturity.Grain yields exhibited significant differences (P<0.05)among the cultivars and N application rates.Increasing N rates improved N uptake at anthesis and maturity in all four cultivars(P<0.05).N translocation from vegetative organs to the grains increased with enhanced N rates (P<0.05).N translocation to the grains ranged from 9 to 64 kg N ha^(-1)and N-translocation efficiency from 33% to 68%. Grain yield was linear to N uptake at anthesis(r^2=0.78^(**))and N translocation(r^2=0.67^(**)).Thus,cultivars with a high N uptake at anthesis,low residual N in the straw at maturity,and appropriate low N fertilizer supply in southeast China should efficiently increase N-recovery rate while maintaining grain yield and soil fertility.

N Mineralization as Affected by Long-Term N Fertilization and Its Relationship with Crop N Uptake

A field experiment established in 1997 was conducted to study the effect of long-term N fertilizer application on N mineralization in a paddy soil determined using a laboratory anaerobic incubation followed with a field incubation and to measure the relationship between in situ N mineralization and crop N uptake. To estimate N mineralization in the laboratory, soil samples were collected from plots with N application at different rates for six years and were incubated. Soils treated with fertilizer N mineralized more N than unfertilized soils and mineralization increased with N application rates. Also, the fraction of total N mineralized increased with increasing N fertilizer application. These findings meant that a substantial portion of previously applied N could be recovered slowly over time in subsequent crops. The field incubation of the plot receiving no fertilizer N showed that the NH4^＋-N concentration varied greatly during the rice-growing season and seasonal changes of N mineralization were due more to accumulation of NH4^＋-N than NO3^-N. Hice N uptake increased up to a maximum of 82 kg N ha^-1 during the season. The close agreement found between in situ N mineralization and rice N uptake suggested that the measurement of in situ N mineralization could provide useful recommendations for adequate fertilizer N application.