Time changes in uptake rates of ammonium-N and nitrate-N by Porphyra yezoensis thalli were determined using stable isotope 15N. The uptake rates of both nitrogen forms were constant. The "rapid or surge uptake" which is reported for pelagic phytoplankton, was not observed in P. yezoensis. Specific uptake rates were 0.0017・h-1 for ammonium-N and 0.0002・h-1 for nitrate-N, which showed that the former is taken up 8 times faster than the latter. Therefore, it was suggested that ammonium-N is a suitable fertilizer as nitrogen source in the Nori cultural area. The desirable long-term effect of fertilization on P. yezoensis is also discussed.