Nitrogen (N)

Rice plants require a large amount of nitrogen at early and mid-tillering stages to maximize the number of panicles. Nitrogen absorbed at panicle initiation stage increases spikelet number per panicle. Nitrogen absorbed during ripening stage, in the presence of adequate solar radiation, enhances the grain filling process.

Specific functions of nitrogen in rice growth and development include:

• Acting as an essential component of amino acids, nucleotides, and chlorophyll
• Giving plants their dark green color
• Promoting rapid growth - increase in height, tiller number, size of leaves and grains
• Improving grain yield and quality - increase in number of spikelets per panicle, percent filled spikelets, and protein content in grains

Nitrogen deficiency symptoms include:

• Stunted yellowish plants with limited number of tillers
• Except for the young leaves that are greener, narrow, short, erect, leaves that become yellowish-green as they age
• Old leaves and sometimes all leaves become light green and chlorotic at the tip - leaves die under severe nitrogen stress
• Early maturity or shortened growth duration