Growth environment and plant nutrition are two important factors influencing growth, yield and quality of aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.). The present study was conducted at Kalyani, India to determine the effect of two planting dates and four fertilizer levels on different aromatic rice cultivars during the dry seasons of 1995/96 and 1996/97, while nine cultivars were evaluated during the wet seasons of 1996 and 1997. Thermal and photoperiodic conditions significantly influenced the vegetative (leaf area index and light extinction co-efficient) and reproductive (filled spikelets/panicle) growth of the crop. Delayed planting (23 February) significantly reduced the grain yield by 0·88 t/ha, amylose content by 0·5% and duration by 10 days; but increased the summed heliothermal units (17806 v. 18505). Thus, the cultivars became less efficient (27%) in heat use with delay in planting from 2 to 23 February. Relative availability of NH4+-N from urea and Azolla influenced the crop growth (leaf area index [LAI], tiller production and leaf chlorophyll content) and nutrient uptake. Supply of inorganic N either alone or in conjunction with Azolla significantly increased grain yield (18–41%) and protein content (0·1–0·7%) over 15 t/ha of Azolla alone. However, combined application of Azolla and urea lowered the amylose content below that achieved by application of either substance alone. Correlation studies among quality attributes indicated that long-grained varieties had lower head rice recovery (r=−0·69) due to more breakage during milling and greater test weight (r=0·93).