The study looked at how different ways of applying nitrogen fertilizer affect the growth and yield of early-season rice. They found that shifting nitrogen application to later stages can increase grain formation and yield. Applying nitrogen in a ratio of 5:3:2 for base, tillering, and heading stages resulted in the highest yield increase of 85.15%. Increasing the base fertilizer amount led to a decrease in nitrogen productivity. The timing of nitrogen application had a significant impact on effective panicles and grain setting rate, while not affecting grain number or weight per thousand grains. Shifting nitrogen application later can help increase yield by improving grain formation and weight.