Cold-waterlogged (CW) paddy fields are low-yield paddy fields in Fujian Province. Based on main CW paddy field types (including shallow-foot mud paddy field, blue mud field and paddy field with rust) in Fujian Province, the effects of different combinations of nitrogen applying rates (105, 150 and 195 kg/hm²) and fertilizing time (base and tillering fertilizer : earing fertilizer=10:0; base and tillering fertilizer : earing fertilizer=7:3) on single cropping rice growth and agronomic efficiency were investigated by field experiments conducted in three sites. The results showed that increasing nitrogen applying rate improved rice growth rate at the tillering stage. Compared to CK, nitrogen combination treatments increased rice grain yields by 14.5%-45.5%, 9.4%-13.5% and 10.4%-15.9% for paddy field with rust, blue mud field and shallow-foot mud paddy field, respectively, but the yield increasing effect significantly slowed down when nitrogen applying rate was over 105 kg/hm². Applying nitrogen fertilizer significantly increased the effective panicles of rice in the harvest stage, but there was no significant difference in the grain number per panicle and 1 000-grain weight for all treatments. The agronomic efficiencies of different CW paddy field types were 17.4, 13.3 and 12.8 kg/kg respectively under the 105, 150 and 195 kg/hm² of nitrogen applying rates. Except for the shallow-foot mud paddy field in which the straw yield showed significant differences with earing fertilizer, the yields of rice grains and straws had no significant difference between other different fertilizing time treatments. Increasing nitrogen applying rate had tended to improve nitrogen content but decreased potassium content of rice grains. Given the higher nitrogen levels of CW paddy fields, the suitable nitrogen applying rate should be controlled within 105-150 kg/hm², otherwise the agronomic efficiency will diminish and the yield-increasing effect is little when it is over 150 kg/hm². In addition, considering labour cost and economic benefit, all the nitrogen fertilizer should be used as of base and tillering fertilizer.