An experiment was conducted on clay soils in AR, MO, and MS for a total of six site years to determine the effects of applying early season (ES) N on rice at the 1- to 2-leaf growth stage.  More specifically, the objectives of this study were to quantify the differences in biomass production and N-uptake at the 5-leaf and panicle emergence (PE) rice growth stages, and yield among treatments.  Four ES N sources {ammonium sulfate (AMS), diammonium phosphate (DAP), urea (U), and none} were applied at the rate of 22.4 kg N ha^-1 and combined with three PF N rates (101, 134, and 168 kg N ha^-1).  Early season N was applied to Cocodrie rice at each location when the rice reached the 1- to 2-leaf growth stage.  Plots were flush irrigated within 2 d after application.  Plant samples were collected at the 5-leaf rice growth stage, oven-dried, weighed, and digested to determine total biomass and total N-uptake.  This was repeated at panicle emergence.  In addition to biomass, plant heights were measured at the 5-leaf growth stage.  Finally, at physiological maturity, rice plots were harvested and yields were adjusted to 12% moisture content.  Plant height and biomass at the 5-leaf stage was greater when ES N was applied at all locations.  From these data, it appears that the value of ES N applications is realized in producing greater biomass and taller plants at the 5-leaf growth stage which will allow growers to establish a flood sooner.  N-uptake data from the second year will help to draw conclusions as to the efficiency of early season N applications.