The Effect of Catch Crops on the 15N Nitrogen Percolation and Leaching During the Early Winter Period

Abstract

Abstract Lysimeter experiments with application of 15N in growth chambers were used to investigate to what extent the growth of oil radish can prevent by temporary biological N conservation the nitrogen percolation and leaching during late autumn and early winter periods. It could be shown that the oil radish plants incorporated 47% of the applied 15N and thus reduced substantially the 15N percolation to the deeper soil layers (60–100 cm) and the 15N leaching losses. Before giving final recommendations, the fate of the 15N contained in the oil radish must be examined in the late winter and early spring periods, after freezing of the plants.