Four semi-dwarf rices (Oryza sativa L.) differing in percentage of grain protein, grown in a flooded field receiving basal N fertilization, had a peak activity of root glutamate dehydrogenase 4 weeks after transplanting. A lower peak occurred during panicle formation 10 weeks after transplanting.

The protein of brown rice became more evenly distributed as protein content increased. Kjeldahl protein content of brown rice provided a better indication of milled rice protein content than histological examination of individual grains because protein content varied among grains. The increase in protein content was mainly due to an increase in the number of protein bodies. Screening 10493 varieties from the world rice collection for lysine content by dye-binding capacity showed that lysine content of rice protein varied only by at most 0.5 % point at any protein level. A negative correlation between the lysine content of protein and protein content of brown and milled rice was observed only in samples with protein below 10%. As protein content increased water-soluble nitrogen also increased as a percentage of brown rice.