Determination of Critical Nitrogen Concentration and Dilution Curve for Rice Growth

Critical nitrogen concentration (Nc), which is defined as the minimum % N in shoots required to maintain the maximum growth rate of top dry weight (W) at any time, was determined for rice plant. Using two rice varietal groups, japonica varieties and an indica $\times$ japonica "Dasanbyeo", 18 data points fulfilling the statistical criteria for determining Nc were obtained through eight N-fertilization experiments over two years at Suwon (37$^{\circ}$16'N), Korea. Nc dilution curve for each variety was obtained by fitting the Nc-W relationship to power function. However, The critical nitrogen curves for the two variety groups were not different statistically. Thus, a Nc dilution curve was fitted for the Nc data points pooled over the two variety groups and proposed in rice as: Nc=4.08, where W＜1.73 t h $a^{-1}$ , Nc=5.197 $W^{0.425}$3/ ($R^2$=0.964), where 1.73 t h $a^{-1}$ ＜W＜12 t h $a^{-l}$. The Nc for W＜1.73 t h $a^{-l}$ were estimated as a constant value of 4.08%, the mean value of the maximum N concentration for N-limiting condition and the minimum N concentration for N non-limiting condition. The model for Nc is applicable to diagnosing the nitrogen nutrition status during the rice growth period from emergence to heading stage. The Nc curve well discriminated the 144 data points between the N limiting and the N non-limiting groups regardless of varieties, cultural methods, and years.-limiting groups regardless of varieties, cultural methods, and years.