Response of non-flooded rice to nitrogen rate

O. Sariam, Y.M. Khanif and T. Zahrah

Abstract

Nitrogen and water supply are important factors that influence rice growth and yield. The grain yield response to N application rate was significantly quadratic in nature irrespective of water management practices. A higher yield response to N application rate was observed under flooded as compared to non-flooded (NF)- saturated and non-flooded (NF)-field capacity conditions. The estimated N rates for maximum yield were 99, 105 and 126 kg/ha for flooded, NF-saturated and NF-field capacity conditions, respectively. The higher amount of N needed for maximum rice yield under NF-field capacity conditions was probably due to greater N losses as a result of alternate wetting and drying of soil as well as the reduced root system. However, the optimum N rate for maximum yield did not differ very much between flooded and NF-saturated conditions indicating the close similarity in N requirement under both water management practices. The dry shoot biomass response to N rate was quadratic but it was not significant under flooded and NF-saturated conditions. However, a significant quadratic response was observed for dry root biomass under flooded and NF-saturated conditions. The dry shoot and root biomass response to N rate was significantly linear under NF-field capacity conditions.

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