Plants differ in preference for mineral nitrogen forms for uptake and metabolism. In rice plants, this preference can be associated with the growth stage. This study aimed to evaluate the growth, N nutrition and yield of the rice cultivars BRS Colosso and BRSMG Conai in nutrient solution with different ratios of nitrate and ammonium. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design in split plots with four replications. The plots were represented by five N-nitrate (N-NO3-): N-ammonium (N-NH4+) ratios (100:00, 80:20, 60:40, 50:50, and 40:60) and the subplots by the three growth stages. N supply in the exclusive form of nitrate, or ammonium at higher proportions than nitrate, decreased dry matter, especially during panicle emission, affecting the yield. The maximum dry matter production of rice cultivars shoots occurred at nitrate rates between 58 and 68 %. The maximum grain yield was obtained at nitrate ratios between 75 and 78 %. The excessive accumulation of nitrate in plant tissues due to low activity of nitrate reductase in the initial growth phase, and excess of ammonium were the main causes of decline in rice growth and yield, when nitrate was the only N form or when ammonium was used at higher proportions than nitrate in the nutrient solution.
nitrate reductase; nitrate accumulation; upland rice
