Rice genotypes for higher nitrogen use efficiency in lowlands

Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of fertilizer urea is generally <40% in lowland rice. It causes economic losses and pollution of air and water. Use of nitrogen-use efficient genotypes can help in increasing the NUE of applied N.

A two-year field study screened the nitrogen-use efficient genotypes of rice under varied rates of N application. Genotypes of rice influenced the NUE significantly. Genotypes Nidhi, CR Dhan 310 and Nagina 22 were most N-use efficient among the 10 genotypes screened. These genotypes had higher harvest index and grain yields during both the years.