Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p> Background and aims: Dry-direct seeded rice cultivation saves hefty amount of irrigation water; however, contributes to loss of applied nitrogenous fertilizers through higher run-off volumes. This can be checked by drip irrigation and fertigation in dry-direct seeded rice. Methods Field experiment was conducted at College of Agriculture, Rajendranangar, Hyderabad, India during <italic>Kharif</italic> of 2022 & 2023 to study the effect of different rice varieties and irrigation levels combined with 2 different doses of nitrogen (N) on the root characters, nutrient mobilization and spread of N in the soil. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with 3 rice varieties (M <sub>1</sub> : KNM-1638, M <sub>2</sub> : JGL-24423 & M <sub>3</sub> : DRR Dhan-42) in the main plot and 2 irrigation levels (1.0 Epan & 1.5 Epan) along with 2 nitrogen levels (100% N & 125% N) in the sub-plot. Results M <sub>3</sub> registered significantly higher root parameters, dry matter production and uptake of nutrients. Root parameters, dry matter production and nutrient uptake were recorded to be significantly higher when irrigation was scheduled at 1.5 Epan. Lower values for soil available nutrients in post-harvest soil was observed in M <sub>3</sub> and among sub plots; 1.5 Epan with 100% N. Irrigation scheduled at 1.0 Epan registered lower soil available N status both at 15 & 30 cm away from the lateral compared to irrigation scheduled at 1.5 Epan. Conclusions Variety, DRR Dhan-42 in combination with 1.5 Epan irrigation with 100% N could be adjudged as the best treatment for obtaining higher grain yield. </p>