Rice development is affected by nitrogen, specially its tillering pattern which is determined by number of tillers. Tillers synchronism with main stem is related to leaves emission rate and both traits affect the number of productive culms potential. Tiller emission and synchronism of leaf development between main stem and tillers were studied in rice plants (cv IRGA 417) cultivated in a hydroponic solution (Hoagland) under three N concentrations (1, 5 e 10 mmol L-1), each with different proportion of N-NH4+ and N-NO3- (100:0; 75:25; 50:50; 25:75). The different proportions under 1 mmol L-1 were similar for tiller number, synchronism, and productive culms. All traits (tiller number, synchronism and productive culms) were negatively affected when higher levels of N-NH4+ ion (5 and 10 mmol L-1 - 100 and 75% of N ions) were supplied to plants. Nevertheless, when N-NO3- ion was present in at least 50% of the solution, the detrimental effects were not found. When N was at 1 mmol L-1, rice plants tolerate N-NH4+ ion presence, independently of the presence of N-NO3- ion. At higher N concentrations, it is necessary at least 50% of N-NO3- ion in order to avoid detrimental effects on tillering.
Oryza sativa; tiller emission; nitrogen
