Plant growth and the two components of respiration, growth and maintenance, were compared between low and high nitrogen applications in hydroponic culture on a high-yielding rice cultivar 'Takanari' (Oryza sativa L.). Grain yield decreased by high nitrogen application, and thus this cultivar has low adaptability to nitrogen. Growth efficiency (GE) and net assimilation rate (NAR) were lower in the high-nitrogen plot. The maintenance coefficient (m) and growth coefficient (g) of dark respiration were 0.0111 d-1 and 0.196 in the low-nitrogen plot and 0.0166 d-1 and 0.237 in the high-nitrogen plot, respectively. Thus, high nitrogen application increased both g and m. Calculated Rm (maintenance respiration rate) was 70 and 90% of total respiration rate at heading, respectively. The significance of nitrogen adaptability and g was discussed.

The variation of alternative and cytochrome respiration during ripening in rice leaves (Oryza sativa L. cv. Takanari) was examined. The capacity of both respiration pathway was measured by inhibitor titration method using gas-phase oxygen electrodes. The alternative respiration rate decreased from 31.3% of the total respiration rate at around heading to 11.7% at 34 days after heading in the first fully expanded leaf from the top, and further to 6.4 % at 34 days after heading in the fourth leaf from the top. In contrast, the proportion of cytochrome respiration to total respiration increased with leaf senescence. The possible cause of alternative respiration as either an increase in inefficient respiration or a decrease in growth efficiency during ripening was discussed.