A study looked at how not having enough nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium affects how rice plants make DNA and RNA. The effects were stronger in the shoots and roots when the elements were at lower levels. The plants showed the most impact on day 43, started to recover by day 68, but declined again on day 97 during flowering. The plants took in less phosphorus, but the decrease in making nucleic acids was even greater. All RNA fractions were affected, and having a potassium deficiency increased DNase activity.