Rice plants, varieties IAC-25 and IAC-47 were grown in nutrient solution both in the presence and in the absence of macronutrients. Symptons of deficiency were observed in general agreement with description found in the literature. The deficiency of N affected most dry matter yield among the three major macronutrients. although the effect on grain production was greater when K was omitted. The following levels could be taken as indication of adequate nutrition when leaf samples are analysed at the boot stage (respectively) for var. IAC-25 and IAC-47): N - 4.18% and 3.54%; P - 0.36 and 0.27; K - 2.30 and 2.09; Ca - 1.22 and 1.00; Mg - 0.80 and 0.77; S - 0.24 and 0.18. Leaf nitrate reductase activity at the same physiological period correlated well both with N supply and dry matter production.