The effects of controlled-release urea on nutrient absorption were studied in whole growth period of rice. The results showed that the 60-day slow-release urea treatment obtained the highest yields of the early and late rice. The 90-day slow-release urea treatment got the same yield level as the 60-day slow-release urea treatment in early rice, but significant lower yield of late rice than the 60-day slow-release urea treatment. Compared with urea split application, single basal application of the 60-day or 90-day slow-release urea got more effective panicles and grains per ear. Throughout the growth period of rice, N contents in shoots (not included grains in the filling stage) treated with the 90-day and 60-day slow-release urea were both significantly higher than those of the other three treatments (urea split application, ordinary urea single application and no N application). During the filling stage, N contents in grains, the flag leaves, penultimate and third leaves, and SPAD values of flag leaves were all also significantly increased by application of the 90-day and 60-day slow-release urea compared with the other three treatments. However, the two kinds of slow release urea treatments resulted in unfavorable-delayed senescence of rice in different degrees, particularly in 90-day slow-release of slow-release urea. The nutrient release period of 60-day slow-release urea was more appropriate for rice growth than 90-day type one.