Translocation and recovery of 15N-labelled N derived from foliar uptake of 15NH3 by rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars

Foliar uptake of 15NH3 applied at two growth stages (tillering and anthesis) and the subsequent 15N-labelled vegetative-N distribution in different plant components at maturity was investigated in three rice cultivars, IR-6, NIAB-6 and Bas-385. Rice plants absorbed 22–30% and 18–24% of the 15NH3 applied at tillering and anthesis stages, respectively. Of the total 15NH3 absorbed at tillering stage, IR-6 and Bas-385 showed higher recovery (71%) in different plant components at maturity as compared to NIAB-6 (48% recovery). At maturity, percent recovery of the 15NH3 absorbed at anthesis stage was almost comparable in different cultivars, but it was lower (46–55%) than that absorbed at the tillering stage. Recovery of the absorbed 15NH3-N in the soil was negligible and ranged from 0.3–1%. At maturity, the cultivars IR-6 and Bas-385 showed a higher loss (45–53%) of 15NH3 absorbed at anthesis than at the tillering stage (29% loss), whereas for NIAB-6, the corresponding figures were comparable for the two growth stages (tillering, 51% loss; anthesis, 49% loss). Results indicated a variable potential of the tested rice cultivars for foliar uptake of atmospheric 15NH3 and distribution of 15N-labelled vegetative-N in different plant components.