An investigation was carried out to monitor the changes in total N in a waterlogged acid soil subjected to a drying phase at diff erent growth stages (pre-tillering and pre-fl owering) of the rice crop. Total N was estimated by the method of Bremner (1996). Results revealed that irrespective of cropping, drying at pre-blowering stage decreased the loss of total N in acid soil which is not treated with inorganic N. However, in presence of N-fertilizer, the decrease in the amount of total N increased in acid soil. The acid soils that are subjected to a drying phase at pre-fl owering stage of rice crop decreased the total N content in cropped over the uncropped acid soil.