The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of three rice cultivars to N fertilizers under irrigated conditions. Two field experiments were carried out in Mococa, SP, in 2000/01 and 2001/02. Rates of N (0, 90, 180, and 270 kg ha-1) were applied in the main plots and seedlings of three rice cultivars (IAC 101, IAC 103, and EPAGRI 109) were transplanted into the subplots. Nitrogen, as urea, was split in three applications: at transplantation, 20 and 40 days later. Except for the number of spiklets per panicle, yield components did not respond to N rates, although they varied for the different plant genotypes. IAC 103 presented the higher value for panicle fertility index and number of panicles per area, and the lower plant height, compared to IAC 101 and EPAGRI 109. Number of plants per area was the yield component most closely related with grain yield. Responses to N varied with the genotype. The highest rate of N to maximize economic return (218 kg/ha N and 6790 kg/ha grain yield) was observed for IAC 103. The corresponding rates for the other genotypes were 161 (EPAGRI 109) and 179 kg/ha N (IAC 101). These rates are higher than those currently recommended for waterlogged rice in Brazil.
Oryza sativa L.; grain yield; milling yield; nitrogen
